Take a look at our latest newsletter!
Build It, Protect It, Preserve It.
740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com
April/May 2024
Spin Kicking Into Siblings Day BROTHERS BOND THROUGH TAEKWONDO AND PODCASTING
Even though we are six years apart, as more time goes by, my younger brother Jonathan and I continue to grow closer. Despite the age difference, we look a lot alike, and people always get us confused. We have similar vocations and backgrounds, but our differences and unique eccentricities make our relationship enjoyable and rewarding. Little Bro Taekwondo Growing up, my brother and I did not get into a lot of fights — at least, not in the traditional way you might be imagining. Now, though, we fight every week — sparring and battling it out together at the same dojang (Taekwondo gym). We have spent years training in Taekwondo, a Korean martial art whose practitioners can punch and kick from a standing position or mid-air. One memory that comes to mind from the brotherly Taekwondo sparring sessions is when we were practicing flying back kicks. This move involves running at your target,
taking flight, spinning your body around mid-air, and landing a kick with all your might while remaining off the ground. It is quite a sight, but that does not mean it is a fun move to be on the receiving end of. On this occasion, I was holding a wooden board in front of me. The goal is for your training partner — in this case, my little brother — to break the board in half with their kick. Jonathan ran at me, jumped into the air with leopard-like agility, spun, and landed a powerful kick right to my face. The board was fine, but my nose leaked like a sieve. Since then, I have asked my brother if he wants to hold the board for me while I practice kicks. So far, he has yet to take me up on that offer. Podcast Pair Apart from bonding over bruises and broken pride after our weekly sparring match, we also get together every week to record our small business-focused podcast, 6 Figure Sales Warriors. We record the show every Monday night on Facebook Live and share tips to help small business owners and entrepreneurs reach a 6-figure income. The show feels like a dialog between two loving brothers and is made more interesting by our divergent professional backgrounds. While I graduated from college and law school, my brother decided college was not for him. Instead, my brother is a
restaurant owner, whereas I practice law. These perspectives help bring diversity and different perspectives to our conversations, making them appealing and relevant to a larger audience. Our advice ranges from the analytical and theoretical to the practical, but all of it is designed to lend advice to support our listeners’ financial goals. Siblings Day April 10 is National Siblings Day, and I hope all of you reading this have someone you can call brother or sister, family or not, to confide in, laugh with, or help kick into shape. Life is more enjoyable when spending it with the people you love. My daughter — a fellow martial artist — and I recently started a TikTok called The Legal Dragon, where we post videos of us performing Taekwondo. Making content and working out together are some ways I like to keep in touch with family, but there are many ways to keep in touch and maintain those relationships, which is what life is all about.
740-314-4829 1
ople to Thank
You matter. It’s an easy thing to forget with the overwhelming obligations and responsibilities most people have, but you matter. Everyone, including you, must practice self-care to ensure their happiness and peace of mind. Disconnect From Technology The connectivity provided by technology comes with several benefits, but they have just as many drawbacks. Companies design phones to be addictive. Your brain releases a little dopamine whenever you get a notification, not unlike a slot machine. That’s why we constantly check our phones, even when they don’t ring or vibrate. Meanwhile, studies correlate heavy social media usage with profound feelings of loneliness and depression. Everyone needs to distance themselves from technology every so often. Try leaving your phone at home when you go outside or set a specific no-screen time. Better yet, dive into nature. Practice yoga in the park or hike through the woods and breathe in the fresh air instead of scrolling. Dream More Our bodies demand that we spend about a third of the day sleeping, and it does so for a reason. Almost every cell needs time to refresh and renew. But many people continue to shrug off sleep, which falls to the bottom of their priorities. Take the time to increase your sleep quality. It helps almost every part of your body, from brain to toe. To do so, implement positive sleep habits. Don’t watch TV before bed, keep your bedroom dark, and put your phone on “do not disturb.” Self-Care Tips for a Happier and Healthier You
Attention Business Owners: U.S. Government Requires Beneficial Ownership Information Before 2025 If you own a business or LLC or plan on starting one this year, this is for you. Then there is something you need to know: The Financial Crime Enforcement Network, or FinCEN for short, under the authority of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, now requires that all businesses, new and existing, submit beneficial ownership information reports. While these are simple enough to file, failure to do so before January 1, 2025, could result in substantial fines. What is a business ownership information report? As of January 1 this year, FinCEN requires that all businesses submit beneficial ownership information reports. This is being implemented to curb financial corruption and ensure businesses
are being administered legally and legitimately. Thankfully, these reports are not an annual requirement and only need to be submitted once. Companies are required to provide the following details of each owner before January 1, 2025:
•
First and last name
•
Date of birth
•
Primary address
In addition, business owners must provide information regarding the ID number and issuing authority of one of the following:
•
U.S. Driver’s License
•
U.S. Passport
•
State Identification Card
Indulge Yourself It’s all too easy to devote our lives to other people, but taking time for ourselves is essential. Some me-time lets you get some perspective through joy. Once a month, push the responsibilities away and spend the day doing what you love. If you want a spa day, get a massage. If you’d prefer to paint figurines in your basement, that’s all you. We spend most of our time in our heads, preoccupied with our thoughts and focused on our obligations. It’s not good for our mental health. The sheer weight of life is heavy on our shoulders and minds. Ease those worries and anxieties by putting the phone away, getting a good night’s sleep, and spending quality time with ourselves.
• A non-expired foreign passport will suffice if none of the above are available.
If you are not a current business owner but are instead starting a business in 2024, you will have 90 calendar days after registering or creating your business to file. Failure to do so will result in fines, which are detailed below. What happens if I don’t file? A business must submit the requisite information before January 1, 2025, or within 90 calendar days if the company was founded in 2024, or it will be subject to severe financial penalties. These penalties include $500 for each day the violation continues, two years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Now that you know about the FinCEN requirement, you are better equipped to be a business owner in 2024. Registering in time and avoiding penalties will give you a leg up over those who fail to keep on top of new regulations as you have.
2
LittlejohnLawLLC.com
INSIDER INSIGHTS
TIPS TO STAY AHEAD IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET
Investing in real estate can be a great way to earn additional income, but it requires a lot of time, money, and research to be successful. From keeping a budget to choosing the right location, every facet of investment will play a part in determining your level of success. We have compiled some useful tips to help real estate investors stay ahead of the market and invest successfully. Location Matters Everyone has heard the phrase “location, location, location,” but it’s difficult to overstate its importance. A property derives its value from an array of factors, and only one of those is the quality of the building itself. Finding the right property in the right location is key to successful real estate investment. Vacation rentals must be in safe areas, close to popular restaurants, shopping centers, and tourist attractions. If your vacation rental is too far away from what attracts people to the area, it will inevitably
be less profitable and less competitive than other vacation rentals.
All rentals require landlords. If you don’t plan on assuming those responsibilities yourself, you will need to hire a property manager to perform those duties, which can dent your estimated profits. Set out a budget for yourself, and make sure it includes costs associated with repair, renovations, associated real estate taxes, home insurance, maintenance, and utilities. If you stay within your budget and purchase properties with high upsides, you will be on your way to generating a healthy income. Professional Advice Real estate investment is a commitment, and it is critical you commit fully. It’s vital to have expert legal advice when making real estate investments. To discuss questions related to real estate documentation or estate planning, please call us at 740-346-2899 to speak with a specialist.
On the other hand, if looking to buy and rent out a house or property, you have to consider if it’s situated in a well-regarded school district, if it is near commercial areas where locals are employed, and if the surrounding area contains parks, grocery stores, and other amenities attractive to families. Costs of Investment One of the most common but critical errors investors make is underestimating the costs involved. Whether you are flipping, renting, or selling a house, the money involved goes beyond the purchase price. The average cost of flipping a house is around $45,000, and flippers should expect to spend $1,000 per day for the duration of renovations. For example, if you plan on a 30-day renovation, you should anticipate the costs of renovations to be around $30,000.
TAKE A BREAK
GRILLED STEAK WITH CHIMICHURRI SAUCE
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS •
2 lbs flank, sirloin, or skirt steak
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
• •
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
ARBOR ARIES
CHOCOLATE DAISY DIAMOND ENVIRONMENT
GARDEN KITE
BASEBALL CHERRIES
RAINBOW SHOWERS
3
740-314-4829
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
352 Frank Layman Blvd. • Wintersville, OH 43953 740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1
Learn About the Martial Artist Littlejohn Brothers
2
Self-Care Practices to Help You Thrive
Why Business Owners Need to File With FinCEN Before 2025
3
Learn Insider Tips for Real Estate Investors
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Take a Break
4
Keeping April Fools’ Day Wholesome
3 Pranks to Keep April Fools’ Day Whimsical, Not Weary
Balloon Avalanche This one requires a bit more set-up, but it's worth it for those who wish to keep the fun and magic of April Fools’ Day alive. Blow up 50–100 balloons and place them in your kids’ room while they sleep. They’ll awaken to a huge surprise. This prank is pretty harmless, and your kids will be sure to remember having to wade through balloons to brush their teeth. Latherless Soap Speaking of a bathroom routine, you can also use soap as a prank. Coating a bar of soap with clear nail polish and letting it dry means it won’t create a lather when your kids go to wash their hands. This prank encourages your kids to find humor in the unexpected and will at least remind them to
April Fools’ Day can be a tricky tradition for many families, as kids sometimes get a bit too rowdy or perhaps feel like pranks are more annoying than fun. But you can keep the laughs light-hearted and suitable for all ages with a couple of good pranks tailored to help kids enjoy the whimsy of this holiday without potential blowouts. Color-Changing Milk This creative prank is a surefire way to captivate young minds without any mess. You can add a few drops of food-grade coloring dye to a milk carton and serve it to an unsuspecting audience. The milk will appear to change colors as you pour it into their glass. It looks magical, and you can add edible glitter for an extra dose of the fairy feeling.
appreciate working soap the next time they wash their hands.
These are just three pranks for a whimsical April Fools' Day. Innocent mischief is a great way to unite families and share laughter. The key to a successful celebration lies in harmless, heartwarming tricks that invite magic and the shared joy of familial love. Let the surprises unfold in the spirit of April Fools’ Day, and embrace the laughter!
4
LittlejohnLawLLC.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator