Senior friends celebrating America picnic
May 7, 2025
 | 
Written By:
Brian Goldman
 - 
Retirement Specialist, Financial Adviser

May 2025 Newsletter

This month presents a great time to emphasize our love and support for our nation's veterans! On May 26, 2025, we observe Memorial Day, a federal holiday that honors all fallen U.S. service members. Also, all month long, we celebrate National Military Appreciation Month. Read on to learn about this important observance. You'll also find out how happiness affects your ability to bounce back from tough situations, how to make a cool patriotic treat, some interesting historical facts about May, and much more.

DID YOU KNOW THAT MAY IS NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH?

Celebrated each May, National Military Appreciation Month honors current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those who have given their lives in the pursuit of freedom. According to the USO, the goal of this month is to encourage Americans to remember, recognize, and appreciate those who have served and are now serving. It is the perfect opportunity to express gratitude to them and their families for all that they've sacrificed for our country.

SOURCES: United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO) and Veteran.com Community

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO HAVE LONG-TERM CARE COVERAGE?

If you ever need help taking care of yourself, Long-Term Care Insurance allows you to maintain your independence. It covers extended care services in a variety of places like your home, a nursing home, and an assisted living facility. It protects your savings from high healthcare costs, so you're able to afford quality care. Regular health insurance doesn't cover long-term care. And Medicare alone can't be relied upon either; it covers only short nursing home stays or very limited amounts of home health care in specific situations. So, it's important to consider whether you'd be able to afford to pay for your care in the future by yourself or if you'd need the safety net of this coverage.

If you want to learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and discuss whether it's right for you, I've got you covered. Give me a call any time or reply to this e-mail.

SOURCES: The Balance and NerdWallet

CAN BEING HAPPY HELP YOU BE MORE RESILIENT? THE ANSWER IS YES!

According to the National Institute on Aging, researchers have found that, when people feel happier, they're more likely to be resilient. Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficult situations. Positive emotions, optimism, physical and mental health, and a sense of purpose (finding meaning in life) make people happy and are all associated with resilience too. While everyone derives happiness in different ways, some ideas may include joining a social club, volunteering at a nonprofit organization, doing yoga, reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, and even enjoying the little things like a beautiful sunset.

SOURCES: M1 Psychology and National Institute on Aging

REMEMBERING THE TRUE IMPORTANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the profound sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in service to our country. It's a time to honor their courage, reflect on the cost of our freedoms, and express our deepest gratitude. As we gather with family and friends, let us take a moment to remember the heroes who made it all possible.

IS LIFE INSURANCE NECESSARY?

If you have dependents, life insurance is crucial. It helps to provide financial support for loved ones who rely on your income in the case of an untimely tragedy. It can also help cover any debts you leave behind, ensuring that your family is not burdened financially. Further, it can replace lost income and cover expenses, making it a smart choice for those with financial responsibilities. If you don't have dependents, life insurance can still be beneficial. That's because it can cover funeral services, outstanding medical bills, retirement expenses, and estate planning expenses. Life insurance can also be set up to leave a legacy gift to a charity or nonprofit organization that you support.

If you can relate to any of these circumstances and want to consider life insurance, I can help. Simply reach out for a no-obligation consultation.

SOURCE: Business Insider

Good Taste, Good Health

Looking for the perfect salute-worthy treat?

ENJOY THESE RED, WHITE, & BLUE FROZEN POPSICLE!

These healthy frozen pops are perfect to serve at your Memorial Day cookout or as a refresher on any warm May night. They're packed with vitamin C and, thanks to the fresh berries, have two grams of fiber each. The best part is that their patriotic look is created without any artificial food coloring.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups of strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons of coconut cream
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons of lime juice
  • 2 cups of blueberries

EQUIPMENT:

  • 6 ice pop molds, 3-4 ounces each
  • 1 blender

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Put your ice pop molds in the freezer for thirty minutes.
  2. Combine the strawberries, one tablespoon of coconut cream, and one tablespoon of honey in a blender. Puree until smooth.
  3. Pour into a liquid measuring cup and set aside. Rinse out the blender.
  4. Combine the coconut milk, one tablespoon of coconut cream, and one tablespoon of lime juice in the blender. Puree until smooth.
  5. Evenly divide the strawberry puree between the frozen pop molds. Carefully layer the coconut milk over the strawberry puree.
  6. Freeze for 30 minutes. Rinse out the blender.
  7. Combine the blueberries and the remaining one tablespoon of coconut cream, honey, and lime juice in the blender. Puree until smooth.
  8. Remove the frozen pop molds from the freezer, fill with the blueberry puree, and insert the frozen pop mold stick.
  9. Put them back in the freezer until they're set, at least four hours up to overnight.
  10. Let them sit at room temperature for five minutes before unmolding and serving. Makes six servings.
SOURCE: The Food Network

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT MAY?

May 5, 1865 — Decoration Day was first observed in the U.S., with the tradition of decorating soldiers' graves from the Civil War with flowers. The observance date was later moved to May 30 and included graves from World Wars I and II, and became better known as Memorial Day. In 1971, Congress moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May to create a three-day holiday weekend.

May 7, 1945 — Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies at Reims, France, ending World War II. VE (Victory in Europe) Day was celebrated across North America and Europe the following day.

May 8, 1429 — During the Hundred Years' War, Joan of Arc led a French force to break the siege of Orléans, which was being besieged by English forces. This event marked a turning point in the war.

May 21, 1881 — The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton.

SOURCES: Rest Less and The History Place

May Celebrity Birthdays: Billy Joel (May 9), Stevie Wonder (May 13), Cate Blanchett (May 14), Drew Carey (May 23), Brooke Shields (May 31)

SOURCE: Holiday Insights

CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S SENIOR FINANCIAL GLOSSARY

COMPOUND INTEREST is interest that applies not only to the initial principal of an investment or a loan, but also to the accumulated interest from previous periods. It helps a sum of money grow faster than if just simple interest were calculated on the principal alone. For savings and investments, compound interest multiplies your money at an accelerated rate. If you have debt, compound interest increases the amount you owe.

A FIDUCIARY is a person or organization that makes financial decisions on behalf of another party. Fiduciaries are legally and ethically bound to act in their clients' best interests. Fiduciary duties appear in a wide variety of common business relationships.

A HOME EQUITY LOAN is a type of consumer debt that allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their residence. It is also known as a second mortgage.

SOURCE: Investopedia

Quote of the Month

"Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard."
- John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States

View Last Month's Answers

SOURCE: BrainyQuote©

For information about Medicare or Claiming Social Security, please visit briangoldman.myasbagent.net. Should you have any questions, please email me at brian.goldman@successfs.com or call 412-897-0760.  

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