The Good Life Report 1.15.20
Hummus
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients:
- One 15 oz. can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
- ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup of lime juice
- 2 Tbsp. tahini
- 1 (or more, to taste) peeled clove of garlic, or equivalent minced garlic¼ tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. paprika
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients, apart from spices, into blender; blend until smooth.
- Add spices and blend until evenly distributed.
- Looking for smoother consistency? Add a tablespoon of water and blend, as desired.
- Spicier? Add more cayenne, or other spices, to taste.
Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com[6]
Passport Power
Did you know that if you owe $52,000 or more to the Internal Revenue Service, the IRS can revoke your passport? That's right. Under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the IRS has the power to revoke the passport of any taxpayer owing $52,000 or more, including penalties and interest.
Notably, if you are currently paying off the debt or are contesting a tax bill in court, you should not be affected. However, anyone under an IRS tax lien could find their ability to travel hampered.
If you have any questions about tax debts or other complex tax issues, contact a qualified attorney or tax specialist.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Adapted from IRS.gov[7]
Avoid Overthinking Greenside Bunker Shots
Getting out of a greenside bunker with a lip of 3' or less is really pretty simple. Some golfers try to micromanage or overthink the shot: they try to pick it off the sand, or they open their stance or their clubface to the point where they are altering their entire swing path.
Focus on basics rather than extremes. Open your stance a few degrees to the left (assuming you play right-handed), aim slightly left of your target, and work your feet into the sand and increase the flex in your knees. You want to come down about 2" behind the ball, accelerating through the impact area, so that you are essentially throwing the ball onto the green on a "carpet" or "spray" of sand. A sand wedge (54-60 degrees of loft) is the right tool for the job.
Tip adapted from Plum Creek Golf[8]
Reduce Your Risk of Getting Sick With One Simple Trick!
During the 2018-2019 flu season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that nearly 43 million people contracted the flu. The CDC says the best method of flu prevention is receiving the annual vaccine, but handwashing can also significantly reduce your risk of catching the flu as well as other contagious illnesses.
Just 20 seconds of briskly washing your hands with soap and rinsing under running water could lower your overall risk of respiratory illness by around 20%. Gastrointestinal ones, up to 30%. It's fast, easy, convenient, and very inexpensive, yet many of us take this healthy habit for granted. In fact, 81% of us don't regularly wash our hands after using the restroom. Yikes!
While this information should not substitute for medical advice from your health care provider, implementing better habits, like frequent handwashing, may be a good tool to help you and your loved ones stay healthier this flu season.
Tip adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[9]
Clean Out Electronic Clutter
If you were lucky enough to get an upgraded phone or computer this holiday season, you might not know what to do with the old one. Fortunately, there are many green options to get rid of your old electronics that are also good for the environment.
Old electronics that are still in good working order can be cleared of personal information and either donated or passed on to someone else who can use them.
Electronics not working well enough to be donated? Check out your local area for scheduled electronic waste recycling days. Special recycling centers in your area might also specifically deal with recycling electronics too.
Tip adapted from The Spruce.com[10]
These are the views of Platinum Advisor Strategies, LLC, and not necessarily those of the named representative, broker dealer or Investment Advisor and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named representative nor the named Broker dealer or Investment Advisor gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your financial advisor for further information.
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[6] www.allrecipes.com/recipe/240990/simple-spicy-hummus/
[7] www.irs.gov/newsroom/individuals-with-significant-tax-debt-should-act-promptly-to-avoid-revocation-of-passports
[8] www.plumcreekgolf.com/images/tips/Sand_Shots.pdf
[9] www.cdc.gov/flu/
[10] www.thespruce.com/get-the-facts-on-recycling-electronics-1708990
