Welcome to November ‒ a month commonly known for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. It’s also right in the middle of Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period. Find out what you need to do to make the most of this once-a-year window. Keep reading to learn all about Veterans Day, a federal holiday celebrated on November 11. We honor veterans throughout the year, but this month presents an extra special opportunity for all of us to express our gratitude for their selfless service. Plus, discover how a simple habit could add years to your life, how to make the ultimate home-front sweet treat, some fascinating historical facts about November, and much more.
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) started on October 15 and is over on December 7. This is your chance to make adjustments to your Medicare coverage for the year ahead. Whether you want to switch plans, look for new benefits, or simply check that you’re getting the best value, don’t let this time pass you by. Doing well with the plan you’ve had this year? It’s still smart to take a look at your options. A quick review now could help you avoid surprises and save you money later. If you haven’t scheduled your annual review with me yet, please get in touch to make the December 7 deadline for Medicare beneficiaries. Let’s get you ready to go for 2027! Simply reply to this e-mail or give me a call to schedule your review.
Each year, Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11 to honor and thank those who served in the United States Armed Forces. The goal of this federal holiday is to acknowledge the courage and dedication of veterans’ service to our country. The Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia recognizes Veterans Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Across the country, smaller towns and communities host events, including flag-raising ceremonies, moments of silence, and tributes at local veterans’ memorials. Schools often organize special assemblies to educate students about the significance of Veterans Day and the service of military members. Businesses may offer discounts or free services as a token of appreciation. The Wounded Warrior Project also recommends commemorating the day by writing a heartfelt note of appreciation to a service member you know, taking a service member out for a meal or cup of coffee, and donating to nonprofit causes.
Staying hydrated is a fairly low-effort habit that could come with a high payoff! A study by the National Institutes of Health published in the journal eBioMedicine found that people who stay well hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions, and live longer compared to those who may not be drinking enough. Those who stay well hydrated also experience less joint pain and feel clearer in their thinking. While everyone’s situation varies, research from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have determined that an adequate daily intake is 15.5 cups of fluid for men and 11.5 cups for women. If you have serious health or nutrition issues, experts recommend checking with your doctor before making any significant changes. Staying hydrated is one of the simplest habits you can add to your daily routine, and it can make a meaningful difference in how you feel every day.
The answer is yes. If you ever become injured or need surgery, it’s often necessary to continue recovering once you’re released from the hospital. Paying for these types of services will result in big out-of-pocket bills. Fortunately, there’s Short-Term Care Coverage (STC). It will help cover the kind of care you’re likely to need if you’re temporarily unable to manage everyday tasks on your own. For example, STC can cover a stay in an assisted living facility, help from a home health aide, and even certain prescriptions. Without STC, you could be facing long-term financial strain that you’ll be paying for long after you’ve recovered. Many people believe that they can rely on Medicare to handle these types of expenses; however, benefits can actually be limited and conditional. STC is specifically designed to help with exactly these situations, allowing you to rest easy.
To learn more about STC, reply to this e-mail or give me a call anytime. I’m happy to help and answer questions about all of your coverage needs.
LOOKING FOR A SWEET TASTE OF HISTORY? THESE THREE-INGREDIENT WONDERS STAND THE TEST OF TIME.
These light, airy meringue-like cookies are called Soldiers’ Kisses because they’re a home-front recipe from the World War II era. They acted as a sweet “kiss from home” for active service members. The recipe contains no butter, no milk, and no whole eggs ‒ making it dairy-free and incredibly resilient. Originally baked to survive weeks of transit to overseas battlefields without spoiling, these cookies feature a deep molasses-like crunch from the brown sugar and rich warmth from the walnuts. Because of their autumnal flavors, they would be a great addition to both a Veterans Day gathering and a Thanksgiving dessert table.
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November 10, 1775 – The U.S. Marine Corps was established as part of the U.S. Navy. It did not become a separate unit until 1789.
November 11, 1919 – President Woodrow Wilson issued the first proclamation for Armistice Day, which was later changed to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars.
November 11, 1938 – Irving Berlin’s God Bless America was first performed. The song was written especially for radio entertainer Kate Smith who sang it during her regular radio broadcast. It soon became a patriotic favorite of Americans and was one of Smith’s most requested songs.
November 19, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address during ceremonies dedicating 17 acres of the Gettysburg Battlefield as a National Cemetery. It lasted fewer than two minutes and has come to symbolize the definition of democracy itself.
November 26, 1789 – The first American holiday was proclaimed by President George Washington to be Thanksgiving Day, a day of prayer in gratitude for the successful establishment of the new American Republic.
NOVEMBER CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Sally Field (November 6), Leonardo DiCaprio (November 11), Whoopi Goldberg (November 13), Danny DeVito (November 17), Scarlett Johansson (November 22)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION is a portion of an employee’s salary that is delayed for future payment, typically at retirement. Employees must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on deferred income at the time of deferral, but do not need to pay income taxes until distribution.
A FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION (FHA) LOAN is a government-backed mortgage designed to help individuals with lower credit scores and modest down payments secure home financing. The federal government insures FHA loans issued by private lenders, such as banks. Borrowers must pay two types of mortgage insurance premiums: one upfront and the other monthly. These loans are designed to help low- to moderate-income families attain homeownership, and they are particularly popular with first-time homebuyers.
A JOINT-STOCK COMPANY is a business in which each investor owns a stake based on the amount they invested. Joint-stock companies have funded large ventures, like colonial expansions, by pooling resources from numerous investors. Modern equivalents of joint-stock companies in the U.S. include corporations, partnerships, and LLCs that issue stock.
SOURCE: Investopedia
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country
can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.
America will never forget their sacrifices.”
Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States
The objective of Sudoku is to fill the grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine subgrids that compose the grid (also called boxes, blocks, or regions) contain all of the digits from one to nine.
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