Take a look at our July newsletter!
Discover Your American Dream Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. JULY 2023 AND CELEBRATE IT ON THE FOURTH
I loved that David served and was so proud of his actions and accomplishments. He joined the military shortly after 9/11 as a way to do his patriotic duty. Supporting him as his wife was my way of serving our country. Over time, we had to make the difficult decision of whether he would stay in the military. We decided it was time to do something different, and thanks to the GI Bill, he was able to go to law school after his service ended.
Our experience is similar to many other military families, and we have these opportunities because we live in such a great country. I always take some time to reflect on this whenever the Fourth of July rolls around, as it makes me feel so appreciative to live in America. It might not be a perfect country, but it provides equal opportunities to all people of every background.
Throughout the year, we recognize several holidays that give us a chance to celebrate our American pride. The Fourth of July is one of my favorites because it allows me to express my gratitude for our country. I’m blessed to live in this country, as it’s provided me with countless opportunities I wouldn’t get if I lived elsewhere, and that’s the true essence of the American dream. It’s the opportunity to do what we want with our lives. I’ve always had pride in our country, but it grew tenfold after I met my husband, David. When we met, he had just returned from a deployment in Iraq. At the time, I was working at the district attorney’s office in San Diego. Our relationship grew, and David proposed right before he started another deployment to the Philippines. Planning that wedding while he was overseas was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever experienced. The military doesn’t give exact return dates, so I had to be careful when setting the date. Luckily, everything worked out, and he arrived home a few days before the wedding.
I’ve always been proud to be an American. I grew up in Templeton, which epitomizes the idea of an Americana town. Every year, we had a small hometown parade where different organizations from the high school and community would walk. I was a cheerleader, so I always walked in the parade, which was a wonderful experience. Seeing everyone come together as a community to sing patriotic songs, wave their mini-American flags, and celebrate our American pride was amazing. As an adult, I even brought my kids to the celebration so they could experience it.
I am incredibly grateful to live in this country. I love to travel and experience other cultures, but nowhere feels better than right here. It’s the best place in the world to make something of yourself, start a family, and experience the thrill of the American dream.
Happy Fourth of July!
–Andrea Shoup
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To Buy or Not to Buy a House
You’re probably hearing conflicting advice when it comes to home buying. While some say a recession is inevitable, others highlight the lowest selling prices in years. However, you should consider the current market conditions as context rather than deciding factors when buying a home. Whether or not the time is right to buy a home depends on your personal and financial circumstances. Market Aside, Are You Ready?
If you feel financially comfortable to undergo the hurdles ahead (with a stellar credit score to match), you should be ready to start looking for a home!
Real estate market aside, the more important question is this: Are you ready to buy a house right now?
Consider some reasons to hold off on buying. While there are plenty of reasons why you should buy a home, there are also countless reasons why now might not be the right time for you. Look at your personal and financial situation and ask yourself:
Assess your finances. Potential homebuyers should be aware of the roadblocks before making any significant decisions. You’ll need to be entirely sure that your funds are ready to take the hit of both a down payment and a mortgage. Consider your credit, savings, and debt when determining your monetary readiness. These three financial aspects decide whether you’ll qualify for a mortgage. For example, those with credit scores lower than 600 will have slimmer chances and higher prices. Meanwhile, your debts can also hinder your ability to qualify for a mortgage if they’re disproportionate to your income. As for your savings, you will need enough money for the down payment, moving costs, as well as possible expenses associated with owning a home. Everything your previous landlord took care of will now be your responsibility. Even new homes have surprise repairs that will come out of your pocket.
• Is your job secure? Have there been recent layoffs in your company? • Are you feeling pressured by family or friends? • Do your finances need some TLC? • Are you ready to put down your roots?
These are just a few issues that can cause a disaster in the home-buying process. You will need to assess your situation and be honest about why you need to buy a home and if you’re financially prepared. GET TO KNOW JENNIFER Whenever you call into a business or walk
saw the toll it was taking on them and wanted to do everything she could to help. Her compassion for others helped her immensely in her previous work experience, and now she’s ready to help people with their estate planning needs. Since joining our team, Jennifer has proven to be a strong source of support for our clients. She keeps their fears and concerns in mind while helping them achieve their goals. She spends ample time getting to know her clients and their specific needs. Jennifer is determined to help our clients leave a legacy they’re proud of. Jennifer spends plenty of time out in nature and exploring the world while away from work. She goes on a family road trip every Sunday and loves hiking through the Smoky Mountains. Jennifer also has a husband and two kids that she absolutely adores. We’re so glad to have Jennifer on our team and can’t wait for you to speak with her if you haven’t already!
through its doors, you want someone to greet you with a smiling face and a welcoming voice. That’s why we put so much effort into hiring the best people for our welcoming team. This past April, we added Jennifer to our team, and in the past few months, she has proven her skills and exceeded expectations while helping our clients. Jennifer resides in Tennessee and graduated from college with a double bachelor’s degree in political science and chemistry. She started law school soon after, hoping to pursue a career in family law, but a death in her family made her put school on the back burner. She went into sales instead and built a long and successful career. The legal profession remained her passion, though. By working with us, she’s getting to combine her passion with her experience, making this the perfect work setting for her. Jennifer’s interest in law started from an early age. She had many friends who went through difficult custody battles when their parents divorced. She
READY TO ASSIST WITH A SMILE
Plan today for peace
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Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
This versatile summer chicken recipe is packed with warm flavors to keep your tastebuds on alert. It’s perfect for family BBQ nights or as a protein for meal prepping! Ingredients
Do you remember how excited you were when you were hired for your first job? A new opportunity opened up right in front of you, providing you with money, newfound responsibilities, and many valuable lessons. As summer continues, young adults from around the community are getting their first taste of the workforce while they’re on break from school. I got my first job while in high school and absolutely loved it. I worked at McDonald’s for two years as a crew chief and truly learned the meaning of responsibility. I was in charge of opening the restaurant in the morning, and the fact that they trusted someone as young as I was with keys to the store was kind of unbelievable. They must have felt that I was trustworthy and responsible enough to handle it. Over time, I worked my way up and became a trainer before I took a job working in the back office. I learned many new skills in these roles that opened up other opportunities later in life. While I loved the day-to-day duties, I also loved the environment and people. It was always nice getting to know our regular customers and ensuring they left our restaurant with a smile. I think summer jobs are important for kids to experience. I’m always amazed when kids aren’t given the opportunity or don’t take advantage of it since they can learn some truly valuable skills. Yes, there is time for work in the future, but it’s more about becoming self-sufficient than anything else. When cellphones started to become popular, I convinced my parents to get me one under the condition that I was responsible for the bill. I was only making about $250 every two weeks, and sometimes $100 of that went straight to my phone bill. It always felt good knowing that I could take care of that responsibility. If you have teenagers at home who are bored and looking for something to do, consider encouraging them to look for a part-time job. They’ll likely end up enjoying it way more than they would have imagined! SUMMER JOBS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT The Value of Self Sufficiency
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp turmeric • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp oregano • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) • 1/2 tsp salt • Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1. In a large bowl, add chicken, olive oil, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper (if desired), salt, and pepper. Toss together to coat chicken; let it marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 2. Preheat grill to 400 F. Grill chicken thighs for 6–8 minutes per side or until fully cooked and an internal thermometer reads 165 F. 3. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm, then chop into bite-size pieces to use in salads, tacos, bowls, and more!
TAKE A BREAK
e of mind tomorrow.
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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | www.shouplegal.com
1 | Grateful for American Experiences 2 | Should You Buy a House Right Now? 2 | Meet Jennifer! 3 | Is Your Child Ready for Their First Job? 3 | Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs 4 | Help Kids Learn While They Earn Inside This Issue
A summer garage sale is a tried and tested way to earn a little cash while eliminating things you no longer need. But it’s also the perfect opportunity for parents to teach their children a few life lessons. Making your garage sale a family project can teach kids about organization, money management, and the pride of a hard day’s work. The lessons start immediately as your family determines what they no longer need. Younger children, in particular, often struggle to part with their possessions. A garage sale is an opportunity to discuss what they use, what they don’t, and why we can’t keep every object we own forever. This process will teach kids organization as they create their “keep,” “sell,” and “toss” piles. On the big day, your children can also play a significant role in organizing and displaying your merchandise. Kids can help determine which items should share a table and what should be front and center to catch buyers’ eyes. What Your Summer Garage Sale Can Teach Your Kids
letting your kids set prices is probably unwise, you can help them understand market value and what people will pay for used merchandise. Your children can take a more active role in the sale itself. Depending on their ages, they can gain valuable experience making change for customers or negotiating a deal on the items for sale. The best part of using your garage sale as a learning opportunity is that your children can personally experience the value of hard work. They’ll watch their old possessions disappear and the cash trickle in. More than anything, they’ll probably love adding up the day’s takings. Whether or not you give your kids a cut of the earnings is up to you. But even if they don’t end up with fatter pockets, your children will walk away from the family garage sale with lessons that will last longer than any extra cash could.
Math and money management also play a pivotal role in any successful garage sale. First, you must determine what the items you’re selling are worth. While
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