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The Power of Paying It Forward
Many of you may have heard stories about people in the drive- thru at a Starbucks paying for the order of the car behind them, starting a chain reaction of generosity all down the line of cars waiting to get their coffee. It’s the definition of a random act of kindness, and it’s done without expecting so much as a head nod or a thank you. Stories and instances like that are powerful, and they have the potential to spread like wildfire. They definitely make me want to pay forward the kindness I’ve received. I’ve talked about how my real estate business struggled during the Great Recession back in 2008. That was a time in my life where I was pretty sure that things couldn’t get any worse. I was losing money hand-over-fist, and it didn’t seem like I had much control over anything that was happening in my life. I remember talking to one of my fraternity brothers during that time, frustrated with my current situation. During the course of that conversation, I remember him asking me a question that rocked me to the core: “What if this isn’t just about you?” Even in the midst of financial challenges, I still had a lot to be thankful for and a lot to offer for
people worse off than me. When I widened my gaze to see other people around me who needed help, my own
problems didn’t seem so big. At the same time, I was also
fortunate to rely on my family for their support through hard times. Receiving their kindness has made it easier to show kindness to others even on my worst days. In fact, I’ve found it’s easier to be kind on my bad days because it helps me feel better, and I can better empathize with people in need. You might think you don’t have a lot of opportunities to perform random acts of kindness or to pay forward the kindness you’ve received. We all have busy days to get through, and it’s not always easy to take the focus off of ourselves. But if we look around, there are so many people whose days could use a little light. Some of our neighbors might not be able to afford groceries, and others might need exact change for stamps at the post office. Our workplaces, where we try to earn what we need to put food on the table for ourselves and our families, can sometimes be the best spots to show kindness. I have clients who run short on money and need to get food on the table before they can even think about insurance. Not too long ago, a conversation with one of my
–Duane Hamilton 1 770-744-1855 of kindness. I hope for all of you reading this, the random acts of kindness you experience compel you to act kindly as well. clients compelled me to ask how many days it had been since he had last eaten. He told me two days. I stopped the insurance conversation dead in its tracks and bought him a meal. When someone shows us kindness, it’s up to us to make sure that kindness doesn’t stop with us. That’s what I’ve felt compelled to do every time I’ve been a recipient of an act
year’s feel good movie, “Yesterday,” which featured the Beatles as a major part of the plot and used several of their iconic songs, is a testament to their enduring popularity. The Apollo 13 Mission Launches (and Lands) “Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” John Swigert, backup pilot aboard Apollo 13, uttered the understatement of the century to the Apollo Mission Control Center on April 13. Two of the ship’s oxygen tanks had stopped working, causing multiple other systems to fail 200,000 miles from Earth. Fortunately, because of the bravery and innovation of the crew, Apollo 13 circled the moon without landing and crashed into the Pacific Ocean, with all three crew members surviving the ordeal. and there are many dating sites and apps specifically for singles over 50 who are ready to mingle. Julie Spira, a relationship expert with senior dating app OurTime, says that “Authentic dating profiles get the best results.” Basically, don’t lie on your profile. Use a picture of you from this year and be proud of your age. That’s the best way to find people who will love the real you. Go to 26 different places. Prefer to meet people in person? Lisa Copeland, a dating coach who works exclusively with women over 50, recommends creating a list of 26 different places in your area, one for each letter of the alphabet, then going to those places. While you’re out, Copeland says, “You want to smile. Make eye contact. Ask a question. Give a compliment and put a question behind it.”
Be present when meeting new people. Dating as a senior means coming to the table with a lot of baggage. Dating is when people get acquainted, so be careful about sharing that baggage right out of the gate. This doesn’t mean you should never talk about heavy topics, but remember this advice from the popular dating site, eHarmony: “Early on, focus on enjoying each other’s company here and now.” It doesn’t matter if you’re 26 or 62, dating is always hard. You have to step outside your comfort zone and trudge through a series of terrible first dates. But in the end, it’s all worth it when you find that special someone with whom you can spend your golden years. Just remember, you’ll never meet that person if you don’t make the leap.
Getting back into dating can be hard when you’ve been out of the game for a few decades. In fact, some would- be romantics are so self-conscious about their age that they never even try! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up some expert advice on dating at any age. Don’t fear online dating. Online dating is a great way to meet people outside of your social circle,
Turning Back the Clock
What decade do you think of when someone talks about events that happened 50 years ago? The 40s? The 50s? Would you believe that the year 1970 was 50 years ago? While it might seem like only yesterday, this turbulent year happened half a century ago. Amidst protests and political polarization that wouldn’t seem out of place in 2020, the reverberations of some of the events of 1970 can still be felt today. The Beatles Break Up Fifty years ago, the most influential music group of all time announced they were breaking up. No band has enjoyed more number one hits, or perhaps more enduring fame, five decades after they recorded their last songs together. Despite this, their fame continues even to this day. Last To Half a Century Ago
The First Earth Day Is Celebrated It was during the 1970s that many people started to really care about protecting the natural environment for future generations. The first Earth Day, celebrated by thousands of schools, universities, and communities across the United States, was a testament to that new awareness. Today, Earth Day is recognized every April 22 by more than 193 countries. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 50 years since these events took place. What memories do you recall from 1970?
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2020 M edicare C osts
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) Costs Part B Monthly Premium The standard Part B premium amount in 2020 is $144.60 or higher depending on your income. However, most people who get Social Security benefits pay less than this amount ($130 on average). Social Security will tell you the exact amount you’ll pay for Part B in 2020. You pay the standard premium amount (or higher) if: • You enroll in Part B for the first time in 2020. • You don’t get Social Security benefits. • You’re directly billed for your Part B premiums. • You have Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicaid pays your premiums. (Your state will pay the standard premium amount of $144.60 in 2020.) • Your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from two years ago is above a certain amount. The information in this chart can be found at Medicare.gov/ your-medicare-costs/medicare-costs-at-a-glance. If you have questions about your Part B premium, call Social Security at 1‑800‑772‑1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. If you pay a late enrollment penalty, these amounts may be higher. Part B Deductible—$198 per year
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) Costs Part A Monthly Premium Most people don’t pay a Part A premium because they paid Medicare taxes while working. If you don’t get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $458 each month. Hospital Stay In 2020, you pay • $1,408 deductible per benefit period • $0 for the first 60 days of each benefit period • $352 per day for days 61–90 of each benefit period • $704 per “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 of each benefit period (up to a maximum of 60 days over your lifetime) Skilled Nursing Facility Stay In 2020, you pay • $0 for the first 20 days of each benefit period • $176 per day for days 21–100 of each benefit period • All costs for each day after day 100 of the benefit period
File individual tax return
File joint tax return
File married & separate tax return
You Pay (In 2020)
$87,000 or less
$174,000 or less
$87,000 or less
$144.60
above $87,000 up to $109,000
above $174,000 up to $218,000 not applicable
$202.40
above $109,000 up to $136,000 above $218,000 up to $272,000 not applicable
$289.20
above $136,000 up to $163,000 above $272,000 up to $326,000 not applicable
$376.20
above $163,000 and less than $500,000
above $326,000 and less than $750,000
above $87,000 and less than $413,000
$462.70
$500,000 or above
$750,000 and above
$413,000 and above
$491.60
Information provided by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The Power of Paying It Forward
Too Old for Love? No Such Thing! Momentous Events From the Year 1970
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2020 Medicaid Costs
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Four Romantic Date Ideas for All Ages
T imeless M emories M ade T oday
People in relationships during any stage of life can struggle with date night ideas, especially after a certain amount of years. It’s easy to get caught in a routine, and — while that’s not necessarily a bad thing — Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the special person in your life in fresh or familiar ways. Recreate Your First Date Many people remember the first day they saw their lover in a different, more intimate way. Whether this happened on your first or fourth date, it might be worth making plans this month to recreate the experience with your partner. Not only will they feel special and nostalgic over the story of your relationship, but you’ll revisit the memories and the present simultaneously, seeing all of the qualities you continue to love about your partner.
Get Lost If you want something with both mystery and flexibility, put together a fun playlist and snacks for an aimless road trip. In the current age of GPS and the internet, the mystery of our surrounding world is mostly lost. What if we really didn’t know where the roads were going to take us? Of course, if having some knowledge and structure is more comfortable, you could add a couple roadside attractions, like the Georgia Guidestones in Elberton. Develop Film Get two disposable cameras and drive to a mall, art gallery, park, or anywhere else that you two can enjoy yourselves, then challenge each other to use up your entire roll of film in one hour. You won’t be able to show each other the results until you get it developed, which is part of the fun!
It’s easy to find ways to surprise your partner and laugh together. Attend a Lecture Whether at a university or venue, it can be creatively and intellectually stimulating to be introduced to new speakers and topics with your partner. Don’t underestimate the impact of a learning opportunity — it could help fuel your conversations for life! We hope you have a beautiful February, whether you and your loved one celebrate on Valentine’s Day or every day!
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