A happy black woman carrying and waving an American Flag at the beach.
July 14, 2025
 | 
Written By:
Brian Goldman
 - 
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser

July 2025 Newsletter

WELCOME TO A STAR-SPANGLED JULY.

July is the most firework-worthy month of the year! It's filled with summer cookouts, vacations, and festive fun in celebration of the birth of our nation on Independence Day. It's also the perfect time to celebrate how proud we are to have the opportunity to serve Americans like you every day! So, let's commemorate July together by learning more about Independence Day, how to keep your prescriptions safe in the summer heat, how to make a burger that's perfect for your next patriotic get-together, some fascinating facts about July, and much more!

DID YOU KNOW THAT INDEPENDENCE DAY IS CELEBRATED ON THE FOURTH OF JULY?

Independence Day in the United States has been a federal holiday since 1941, but the tradition goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. In 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence and delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Since then, the fourth of July has been celebrated as the birth of American independence. There are festivities ranging from grand fireworks and parades to casual family cookouts. Many businesses offer special deals on this day, which will allow you to support your local economy. You may also choose to show your pride by wearing patriotic colors, displaying American flags, and decorating your home in red, white, and blue.

SOURCE: HISTORY

IF YOU GET AN ANNUITY, WILL IT DELIVER ON ITS PROMISES? THE ANSWER IS A GUARANTEED YES!

Annuities offer low risk and high returns over a period of time … and those are facts on which you can rely! Specifically, fixed annuities offer guaranteed rates of returns and guaranteed income with a myriad of options. You'll also have a guarantee that the account value will be inherited by a named beneficiary without delay or fees. Annuities are also tax-deferred, which can be highly beneficial in managing future tax liability.

In short, it might be time to take a serious look at annuities and your retirement funds. Simply click reply on this e-mail or feel free to give me a call. I promise to answer all of your questions and help make sure that you're on the right track to meet your financial goals.

SOURCE: Annuity.com

CAN THE SUMMER SUN AFFECT YOUR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS?

Summertime often means rising temperatures. As the experts at the American Pharmacists Association point out, that means your prescriptions may become affected since many of them need to be stored in cool places in order to work effectively. A good first step is to double check that you're following the manufacturer's recommended storage requirements on each information sheet. Most medications should not be exposed to direct sunlight or heat, so refrain from leaving medications in a car or in your pocket when you're outside. If you don't have air conditioning in your home, think about storing medications in cooler areas like the basement. If you're worried that your medication isn't working after being in the heat – even if you don't notice anything different about its appearance – contact your doctor or pharmacist to be sure.

SOURCE: TODAY

DO YOU WANT PREDICTABLE OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS? CONSIDER A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN.

Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) covers some hospital and medical costs, but you're responsible for out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Medicare Supplement Plans help fill the coverage gaps left by Medicare. There are many reasons to get a Medicare Supplement Plan, but one big reason is that your out-of-pocket costs will be a lot more predictable and easier to budget. So, you won't need to wonder how much you'll owe every time you're hospitalized or visit a doctor.

Depending on your state, 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 ideal time to get one. However, even if this window has already passed, you can still attempt to enroll. If you want to find out if you're eligible, I can help. I'm also here to fill you in on all the benefits of Medicare Supplement Plans and answer your questions. Just reply to this e-mail or call me.

SOURCES: Medicare.gov and MedicareSupplement.com

Good Taste, Good Health

PLANNING A PATRIOTIC PICNIC? NOTHING BEATS THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE BURGER.

Red, White, and Blue Burger

July cookouts call for casual, crowd-pleasing dishes … and nothing says summer like a platter of burgers, hot from the grill. Here, the classic grilled beef burger gets a patriotic twist thanks to roasted red peppers, white cheeses, and blue cheeses. If you or your guests don't eat beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead. Put them on your picnic table and watch them disappear!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 ½ pounds of ground beef
  • ¼ cup of crumbled blue cheese
  • 8 slices of white cheese of choice
  • 4 large pieces of roasted red peppers
  • 4 burger buns
  • 4 lettuce slices
  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (only if cooking in a pan)
  • Ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Divide the ground beef into four six-ounce portions. Shape each into a tight ball, then press into a patty. Sprinkle each burger evenly with ground black pepper.
  2. If you're cooking on a grill, heat the grill on high. If you're cooking in a pan, add one tablespoon of vegetable oil to a heavy or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Cook the patties until the first side develops a crust (about three minutes), turn, and cook for five more minutes or until a meat thermometer reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit for medium.
  4. Top each burger with two slices of white cheese and a sprinkle of blue cheese. Cook for one minute until the cheese is melted.
  5. Place a lettuce slice onto the bottom half of the bun, top with a patty, add a slice of red pepper, top with the other half of the bun. Repeat with all of the patties.
    Makes four servings.
SOURCE: Culinary Ginger

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT JULY?

July 2, 1964 – U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race in public accommodations, publicly owned or operated facilities, employment and union membership, and voter registration. 

July 4, 1776 – The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress.

July 9, 1868 – The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It defined U.S. citizenship and prohibited individual states from abridging the rights of any American citizen without due process and equal protection under the law. It also barred those involved in rebellion against the U.S. from holding public office.

July 19, 1848 – A women's rights convention began in Seneca Falls, New York. The topics included voting rights, property rights, and divorce. The convention marked the beginning of an organized women's rights movement in the U.S.

July 20, 1969 – A global audience watched on television as Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first step onto the moon. As he stepped onto the moon's surface, he proclaimed, “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” 

SOURCE: The History Place

 

July Celebrity Birthdays: Tom Cruise (July 3), Tom Hanks (July 9), Harrison Ford (July 13), Jennifer Lopez (July 24), Sandra Bullock (July 26)

SOURCE: Holiday Insights

CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S SENIOR FINANCIAL GLOSSARY.

A SUBSIDIARY is a business entity that is owned in part or whole by a different company. Subsidiaries are separate and distinct from their parent companies and operate independently of them. A company might buy or establish a subsidiary to obtain specific assets, secure tax advantages, and/or limit losses.

A U.S. SAVINGS BOND is a government bond offered to citizens to help fund federal spending. It provides savers with a guaranteed, although modest, return. U.S. Savings Bonds are known for their safety, tax benefits, and suitability for long-term savings goals.

A VENTURE CAPITALIST is an investor or investment partnership that provides young companies with funds in exchange for equity. Venture capitalists tend to experience high rates of failure, but win massive returns for their rare successes.

SOURCE: Investopedia

 

Quote of the Month

"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation, evermore!”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, American physician and poet

View Last Month's answers

SOURCE: BrainyQuote©
Brian Goldman
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser
412-897-0760brian.goldman@successfs.com