April 2025 Newsletter

IT'S APRIL – GET READY TO SOW THE SEEDS OF HAPPINESS!

All month long, we can celebrate the fact that spring is now in full bloom. It's a season filled with beauty, renewal, and boundless possibilities. Let's dig in by learning about National Garden Month, the reasons why exercise leads to more energy, how to cook up a quick and delicious spring pasta dish, some intriguing facts about April, and much more.

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APRIL IS NATIONAL GARDEN MONTH

Nothing says springtime like a blooming garden. National Garden Month has deep roots: It became a national week in 1986 and was officially extended to a national month in 2002. According to the National Garden Bureau, each April is focused on spreading the word about the importance of sustainable planting, the differences among flowers, and the importance of fresh produce and herbs. You can take this opportunity to start your own garden or visit a local botanical garden, an arboretum, or a community garden. Let this month serve as a reminder that, when you garden, you grow!

SOURCES: National Garden Bureau and U.S. Department of Agriculture

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GET COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE WITH A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN

Depending on your state, did you know that you can try to secure a Medicare Supplement Plan no matter your age? Your six-month Open Enrollment Period starts when you're 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B, so that's considered the optimal time to get one. However, even if this time period has already passed, you can still attempt to enroll. If you're trying to decide whether or not to get a Medicare Supplement Plan, you should know that one of their most significant advantages is comprehensive coverage. Medicare Supplement Plans help pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), so you'll have greater financial security. These plans also offer a lot more, such as the freedom to choose your own providers, travel coverage, no referrals, and guaranteed renewability.

Not sure if you can enroll and want to find out? I'm here to answer all of your questions and give you the information you need. Just reply to this e-mail or give me a call.

SOURCE: Medicare.gov

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HERE'S WHY EXERCISE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL MORE ENERGETIC

According to the experts at Harvard Medical School, exercising regularly is the single most important thing you can do for your health. One of the reasons that exercise is so important is that it gives you more energy. Even though it seems counterintuitive, being inactive typically makes people feel more tired. The National Institute on Aging explains that any amount of exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which counteract pain and give a sense of wellbeing. Endorphins also combat stress hormones, promote healthy sleep, and make you feel more lively overall. If you're looking to start a new exercise routine, talk to your doctor to determine which physical activities are best for you.

SOURCES: Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School and National Institute on Aging

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TO HELP YOUR MONEY GROW FOR RETIREMENT, AN ANNUITY MAY BE THE BEST OPTION

While you might be tempted to put your money into a certificate of deposit (CD), you should know that you could benefit from a much higher interest rate by choosing an annuity. While CDs are short term and typically taxed the same year you earn interest on them, annuities offer low risk and high returns over a longer period of time. Plus, annuities grow on a tax-deferred basis. In fact, annuities are designed to help you manage your income in retirement.

Have questions or want to learn more? Click reply on this e-mail or call me – I can help make sure that you're on the right track to meet your financial goals.

SOURCE: Forbes

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Good Taste, Good Health

IT'S EASY AND COMFORTING. GIVE THIS SPRING SPAGHETTI RECIPE A TWIRL!

VEGETARIAN SPAGHETTI

This vegetarian pasta is just right for a weeknight spring dinner. It takes about thirty minutes to prepare and calls for long strands of spaghetti to be tossed with fresh vegetables and topped with lemony basil ricotta.

INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces of whole-milk ricotta
½ teaspoon of grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil, plus whole leaves for serving
3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
12 ounces of fresh spinach, tough stems removed, cut into 2-inch pieces
12 ounces of spaghetti
1 cup of fresh peas (use frozen, if you prefer)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

INSTRUCTIONS: In a bowl, combine the ricotta, lemon zest and lemon juice, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring until softened, for six to eight minutes. Add the spinach and stir until just wilted, about two minutes. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water for two minutes fewer than the package instructions say. Add the peas and cook for one minute more. Reserve one cup of pasta water; drain. Add the pasta, peas, and ¾ cup of the ricotta mixture to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and stir, adding enough reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Season again with salt and pepper to taste. To serve, add the pasta into bowls. (You may choose to twirl your pasta into the bowls using tongs.) Put a dollop of the remaining ricotta mixture on top of each. Then, drizzle with more oil to your liking and sprinkle with basil leaves. Makes four servings.

SOURCE: Martha Stewart

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BE IN THE KNOW WITH THESE APRIL FACTS

April 13, 1953 — British writer Ian Fleming published the first of twelve books featuring a secret agent named James Bond, also known as 007.

April 14, 1865 — The sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was shot. He died the next morning, becoming the first United States president to be assassinated.

April 15, 1912 — The luxury liner, The Titanic, sank in the Atlantic Ocean after striking an iceberg.

April 30, 1789 — The first president of the United States, George Washington, was inaugurated.

SOURCES: American Training and Hearst Networks

April Celebrity Birthdays: Bobby Vinton (April 16), Conan O'Brien (April 18), Jack Nicholson (April 22), Renee Zellweger (April 25), Carol Burnett (April 26)

SOURCE: Holiday Insights

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BRUSH UP ON YOUR FINANCIAL VOCABULARY

CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S SENIOR FINANCIAL GLOSSARY

COLLATERAL is an item of value pledged to secure a loan. Collateral reduces the risk for lenders because, if a borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can seize the collateral and sell it to recoup its losses. Mortgages and car loans are two examples of collateralized loans.

FIXED EXPENSES include understanding recurring costs like rent, mortgage, utilities and insurance.

WITHHOLDING TAX is a set amount of income tax that an employer deducts from an employee's gross wages and pays directly to the government. The amount withheld is a credit against the income taxes the employee must pay during the year.