The Good Life Report 5/21/19
WELCOME TO THE GOOD LIFE REPORT
You've gotten all of the financial questions you had answered in our office. Now you can read about the things you love. From gardening to golf, each week we will post content that interests you and tips to help you live the good life.
Cheeseburger Sliders with Secret Sauce
Serves 8
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. 90/10 ground beef
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 8 slices cheddar cheese
- 8 whole wheat dinner rolls, split and lightly toasted
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
- 16 dill pickle chips
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tsp. sweet pickle relish
- 2 tsp. granulated sugar (or less, if you prefer less sweetness)
- 2 tsp. white vinegar
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
Directions:
Burgers
- Put the rack in the top position and preheat broiler.
- Divide beef into 8 equal parts pressing them into ½-inch-thick patties.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- For medium burgers, broil patties about 5 minutes.
- Take out the burgers and top each of them with a slice of cheese.
- Return to broiler until the cheese is melted.
Sauce
- Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together. You can keep this sauce in a covered container for up to a week in the fridge.
Serve
- Slather rolls with the secret sauce, add burgers, then stack with the lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart[1]
Tips to Protect Your Financial Information When Shopping Online
Cybercriminals are looking for any opportunity to steal your tax and financial data. Theft of your Social Security number could result in a false tax filing. Take these extra steps to protect your financial information, Social Security numbers, and credit card data:
Avoid unprotected Wi-Fi. Unprotected, public Wi-Fi, available in coffee shops or other public places, could give thieves the ability to view your browsing activity.
Check your URLs for the "s." If there is an "s" in "https" at the start of the URL, then the site is secure. There may also be a "lock" icon in the browser's URL bar. Also, be careful making purchases at unfamiliar sites or clicking on links from pop-up ads.
Secure your computer. Lock down your computers, phones, and tablets using security software. This will help to protect your devices from malware that could steal data or infect the device with a virus.
Password length matters. Use a minimum of 10 characters or longer, with a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid words, if possible.
* 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.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov[2]
The Dreaded Dogleg
A dogleg is a hole that bends at some point along its length, like the hind leg of a dog. A common mental block among golfers is how best to play a dogleg hole with real trouble on either side of the fairway.
Since the ball tails off to the right for most of golfers, it doesn't make much sense for one to stand on the tee box of a dogleg-left hole and try to curve their drive in that direction. Instead, try thinking of how to play the hole to the best of your ability.
Tip adapted from Golf Digest[3]
Gratitude is the Attitude
It's hard to be anything else when you are in an attitude of gratitude. A grateful mindset is an instant way to get positive and feel better. But just how do you do that? Here are some great tips to start now:
- Make a commitment to gratitude. This is a daily practice; one you can do at the end of each day. Compile a gratitude list of all the positive things to be grateful for.
- Pay attention to your thoughts. Have a mindset of gratitude. Notice if your mind wants to be negative or judgmental. That's okay. Gently guide it back to grateful.
- Help others. There are always others who are less fortunate. Giving, whether it is your time, service, or a financial donation, feels good and shares your abundance. Living in abundance is a flow, an ability to give and receive.
Tip adapted from Lifehack[4]
Pros and Cons of Leasing Solar Panels
Residential rooftop solar panels are a great way to ensure you're using clean energy. Going solar can be costly, though, but there are leasing agreements that usually involve no money down for installation and offer affordable payments. A solar lease agreement involves a payment schedule for 15 to 25 years, in exchange for the electricity produced. Here are some pros and cons to leasing, if you're considering this type of arrangement:
PROS
- An easy entrance into the solar marketplace
- Elimination of upfront costs
- No responsibility for repairs or maintenance
- Possibility to buy your solar energy system
- Solar leasing companies claim the rebates
- No net metering credits on utility bills
- No guarantee of predictable electricity prices
- Smaller savings
Tip adapted from Greentumble[5]
[1] www.marthastewart.com/326583/mini-cheeseburgers [2] www.irs.gov/newsroom/follow-these-tips-to-protect-data-when-shopping-online [3] www.golfdigest.com/story/strategy-for-doglegs [4] www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-tips-more-grateful-life.html [5] greentumble.com/leasing-solar-panels-pros-and-cons/ |
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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