Advice & More

Finding the Right Words for the Moment

“What is this like for you?” “I see the condition has left some changes.” “I am sorry you are facing this life change.” “Do you want to talk about your condition?” (Questions like these recognize the situation, give comfort, open the way for the patient to either converse at their level of comfort or change the subject.)

What’s Your QQ?

"We have to get it into our heads once and for all that we cannot settle disputes by eliminating human beings." - Jeannette Rankin.

Interacting Figures

When the occasion is right for combinations a little bit of planning can make great photos. This is much better than ordinary photos, and the cost is the same, so be aware and look.

Husband Penalized for Canny Play

By the way, players are NOT penalized for “winning” against the house. We instead could say that your husband is being penalized for playing smarter than you.

Even Death Does Not Stop Pocket-Pickers: End-of-Life Scams and Pitfalls

Since many people feel the amount they spend on a loved one’s funeral is a reflection of their love for the deceased, it’s common to spend more than is affordable. That makes these people excessively vulnerable to high pressure tactics. To counteract that, back in 1984, the Federal Trade Commission passed the Funeral Rule, to prevent the funeral industry from taking advantage of people in grief.

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Like every industry, scam artists selling pre-need plans have learned to tap into ways to steal from customers. As a result, Americans have lost roughly $500 million from purchasing fraudulent pre-need plans. Unfortunately, pre-need plans are governed by state law (not the FTC Funeral Rule) and state laws vary.

Burial at Sea: A Time-Honored Tradition

Most people think a burial at sea is something that happens only in the movies, but it’s an honored choice still widely used today. The Jacksonville office, for example, takes care of about 220 burials at sea per year.

What’s Your QQ?

"'Most all the time, the whole year round, there ain't no flies on me, But jest 'fore Christmas I'm as good as I kin be!" -Eugene Field.   

Side Lighting To Show Depth

A study of the classic painters reveals their mastery of light and interestingly there seemed to be a preference for light streaming from upper left going down to the right. We learn by observing.

Plan on a Long Dry Spell Between Top-line Jackpots

Mentioning the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion might be appropriate here. Tax avoidance is the legal use of tax laws to reduce one's tax burden. In the eyes of the IRS, failure to report a $1,199 jackpot is escaping payment by illegal means, or better stated, tax evasion. Just sayin’.

A Phone Plan to Suit Your Personality and Your Pocket Book

There’s one TV ad that for a different kind of plan, where they ask snidely “It’s not a prepaid plan is it?” The actor says “prepaid” in the same way you might say “toenail fungus.” Of course it’s just a sales tactic, and kind of funny.

Potpourri: Stuff You Should Know So You Can Enjoy the Holidays More and Stress Out Less

To free your mind for celebrating, make an appointment with your tax professional ahead of time. Some actions you may want to delay till the last day of the year, for tax purposes (like gifts or charitable donations), but getting the decisions out of the way should help.

What’s Your QQ?

“If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is 'thank you', that would suffice.” -- Meister Eckhart