ADJUST CUTTING BUDGETS… WITHOUT BLEEDING TO DEATH EMOTIONALLY!

from Healthy Living March 2013

QUIET WA QUENCHING YOUR THIRST

As our nation deals with fiscal policies ranging from the “fiscal cliff” to hotly contested spending cuts, we can be certain that most of us will be affected in one way or another. Somewhat higher tax rates for the high income set and other tax law changes finally agreed to in last-minute meetings back in January averted the so-called “fiscal cliff,” but more is on the horizon as budget debates move on to equally serious issues such as raising the national debt ceiling and corresponding cutbacks in virtually all areas of federally supported programs.

From local schools and ﬁre departments to federal welfare costs, tightening the belt to reach a balanced budget has become top priority for our elected ofﬁcials. Any increase in taxes means less disposable income and it is disposable income that drives consumer spending, which, in turn, drives our economy, including employment and conversely, unemployment. Manufacturing is affected by inventories, and inventories are determined by consumer demand. Ultimately, it all comes down to individuals having a stable job, which provides disposable income to drive consumer demand. (Yes, it’s a cycle!)

The inception of both higher taxes and several new taxes coupled with proposed spending cuts mandated by Washington, D.C. prompted me to ask my clients and friends how they plan to keep their own family budgets in line while dealing with greater tax burdens and potentially less take-home pay.

With more than thirty years’ experience in helping my clients meet their financial goals, I have witnessed both increases and decreases in family budgets. A new baby, a new car, or a new roof definitely increases the budget and often requires financial adjustments within the family. Reaching “empty nest” status, paying off the mortgage, or receiving an inheritance generally relieves budget stress.

As I queried several of my clients and a few of my friends, several things quickly became evident. Whether you live on Pennsylvania Avenue or on Main Street, recognize that cutting spending is not pleasant, nor is it easy. We all have a “lifestyle” that we typically want to enhance, not diminish. Nevertheless, when push comes to shove, we are likely to step up to the reality of doing what is needed at least to maintain the items, events, and practices that are most important to us. The second car, the symphony tickets, and the weekend restaurant dinner with friends generally retain status quo. So then, what does the average family elect to delete or modify to rein in spending when it is crunch time for the monthly budget?

In talking to folks of all ages, I recognized a few consistent replies, but generally speaking, folks of different ages and in different stages of the life cycle had varying answers to my question.

Nevertheless, topping the list for all age groups and both sexes was item number one below! Nearly everyone also mentioned item number two.

Here is a list of items and habits that may most often be eliminated, or at least reduced, to shave the household budget quickly and noticeably without creating a feeling of deprivation. Your own budget and circumstances may require more or less drastic measures.

1. Frequent dining out, especially for the sake of convenience. When socializing with friends, opt for fewer gatherings and choose lunch instead of dinner as menu items are often less expensive at lunch. (Author’s note: This was the single item mentioned by every person interviewed, though eating out for “special occasions” was not likely to be curtailed!)

2. Drinking out, especially the second round of drinks. Choose to have that glass of wine with the meal instead of before the meal. Then there may be no need for another when the entrée is served.

3. Indulging the kids or grandkids (skateboard park membership, namebrand sneakers, elaborate birthday parties for toddlers). Some older adults I talked to mentioned continuing to support their adult children, a blessing for the kids and maybe for the grandkids, too, but often a true burden on many seniors. hows, ad ad of nce. ns on e and r and ng in o-do kes ms and tems. kers in ost. y item s not

B Wilcox is a Graduate Estate Planning Consultant and a Registered Principal with, and offers securities through, LPL Fin ancial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Ms Wilcox is President and CEO of Wilcox Wealth Management in Lady Lake, FL, which is not affiliated with LPL. She may be reached at “mailto:Ellen@EllenWilcox.com” Ellen@EllenWilcox.com or “http://www.ellenwilcox.com /” www.ellenwilcox.com . The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice, including tax advice, or recommendations for any individual.

4. Choosing high-end seats for movies, shows, and performances. Try the balcony instead of the orchestra or go for a matinee instead of the primetime Saturday night performance.

5. Taking elaborate and frequent vacations to exotic or distant venues. Instead, try visiting local attractions within a single day’s driving time. This saves on overnight accommodations and extra restaurant meals.

6. Buying or contributing to the purchase of gifts for acquaintances, ofﬁce mates, and others not part of the immediate family.

7. Squandering excessive gasoline consumed by repetitive or redundant driving. (“Making the head save the heels” is an adage I grew up with!) Plan errands in a circle to eliminate backtracking. Group errands together and do them on a day when the car is going in that direction anyway. Organize the to-do list before leaving home so that it makes geographical sense!

8. Shopping without a list and buying items not on it! Keep food items to a minimum, and eliminate nice-but-not-necessary home items. It may be cheaper to buy one box of crackers at full price than to buy three at a “bargain price,” which is actually a higher dollar cost.

9. Coupon shopping for items not really needed or useful.

10. Stop shopping at “sales” unless the item is deﬁnitely necessary and useful. If it is not needed, it is not a bargain at any price.

11. Cancel unread publications and unused or ineffective organization or club memberships.

12. Sell unused or unwanted items…even collections that no longer add value to daily life. Host a neighborhood garage sale or check out online selling such as eBay.

In 2009, the average household spent $628 on fees and admissions for sporting events, ﬁ lms, and concerts.

SOURCE: http://247wallst.com/2011/02/24/ten-things-americanswaste-the-most-money-on/2/ on me to offer workable in similar decisions and to follow to work toward when like excess in the requires and discipline.

As a ﬁnancial adviser, my clients rely on me to offer workable strategies in good times and bad. Over the past thirty years, I have helped hundreds of my clients to make similar decisions and to follow through to work toward optimum results when occasion and conscience demand. Just like losing weight, losing the excess in the family budget requires setting goals and exercising discipline.

If your household expenses available funds, resolve to do the

If your household expenses exceed available funds, resolve to do the following:

• Take a hard look at where money is going and how it is being used. Note the areas of greatest excess or those expenses producing questionable value.

• greatest excess or expenses value.

• Decide where and what to pare down or to eliminate altogether.

• Decide where and what to pare down or to eliminate altogether

• Set realistic goals.

• Map out a strategic plan for achieving those goals within a reasonable time.

• • goalswithinareasonabletime

• Use discipline and patience to meet your goals.

You will soon be on your way to success without feeling deprived and without bleeding to death emotionally. As the popular athletic brand says, “Just do it!”

ELLEN B. WILCOX is a graduate estate planning consultant. Educated at Gettysburg College, the University of Maryland in Paris, France, and Arizona State University, Ms. Wilcox brings more than thirty-three years of experience to her clients. She is president and CEO of Wilcox Wealth Management, a full service ﬁnancial advisory company in Lady Lake. Ms. Wilcox may be reached at 352.259.1547.

March 2013

3 Orange Blossom Half Marathon and 5K Run

Arrive bright and early at Wooten Park for this half marathon and 5K run event. The 5K will be a run out and back on a course along Lake Dora Drive. The 13.1-mile half-marathon course starts with a 5K loop followed by a ﬁve mile out and back course along Lakeshore Drive from Tavares to Mount Dora. Call Mark Lepow at 352.394.1320 or email mark@sommersports.com.

5 Closing Your Seasonal Home

Get some tips from the Lake County Extension Ofﬁce for closing your seasonal home or leaving your home for an extended period. This educational program will teach you a variety of things including how to prepare your home inside and out, prevent mold and mildew, and storm preparation. Registration is appreciated. Call Julie England at 352.343.4101 or email julieeng@uﬂ.edu.

7 Fantastic Quilt Show (March 7–8)

Quilt enthusiasts or those who may be exploring the world of quilting are invited to the annual Fantastic Quilt Show put on by the Lake County Quilting Guild. A variety of art, traditional, applique, and fashion quilts will be on display at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora. Additionally, there will be demonstrations, vendors, and a boutique selling quilting items and gifts. Call Pat Arends at 352.223.3825 for more information.

8 Rib Run for Education 5K Run/ Walk (March 8–9)

Full of family fun, this 5K run/walk beneﬁts the Pig on the Pond Educational Fund, which changes the lives of deserving students by providing scholarships to South Lake County students. Whether you are a serious athlete or a weekend runner and walker, everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy a great course on Lake Minneola at Waterfront Park while beneﬁting a worthy cause. Strollers and dogs are welcomed. Cost: $25 or $15 for students. Additional information: call Cheryl Fishel at 352.516.5897 or visit www.pigonthepond.org.

9 No Duck Left Behind Rubber

Ducky Race

Adopt a duck and you could win a $5,000 college scholarship at the annual No Duck Left Behind Rubber Ducky Race, which beings at 10a.m. at Wooton Park in Tavares. Hosted by the Educational Foundation of Lake County, proceeds beneﬁt teachers and students in the Lake County public schools. A carnival positioned on the shores of Lake Dora is free to the public and will feature ﬁfty booths from area schools with food, games, and souvenirs, as well as moonwalks, obstacle courses, and slides. Rubber ducks can be purchased in Lake County schools or by calling 352.326.1265.

16

Ides of March… Madness! 5K Run/Walk

The Wildwood Rotary Club and the Wildwood Athletic Club are hosting the ﬁrst Ides of March... Madness! 5K Run/Walk. The 3.1-mile route will both start and end at Wildwood City Hall in downtown Wildwood. Runners, joggers, and walkers are welcomed. The event begins at 8a.m. Race-day registration opens at 7a.m. All participants must meet in the front courtyard of city hall. Proceeds will beneﬁt the community and school projects. Find more info at www. facebook.com/IdesofMarchMadness5K.

St. Patrick’s Day Sunset Tour (March 16– 17)

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a unique way with a sunset kayak tour on Lake Minnehaha. The evening starts at 6:30p.m. at Jones Cypress Cove Marina located at 12540 County Road 561 in Clermont. Upon returning to the marina, partake in a beverage tasting from the local winery and microbrewery. Non- alcoholic beverages will be served for those participants under the age of 21, and proof of age is required. The cost is $50 per person, which includes all kayaking gear, a local guide, and the evening’s festivities. To reserve your space, call 352.406.0904 or email mary@ﬂoridafromakayak.com.

23 Cowboy Crawl Mud Run

Take part in this challenging 5K run. Get down and dirty while overcoming tough obstacles like barbed wire, ﬁre pits, walls, hay mounds, tunnels, mud bogs, ponds, fences, and more. The run begins at 8a.m. at Providence Ranch, 5682 W. State Road 44, in Lake Panasoffkee. Post-race activities include live music, mud volleyball, tug-of-war, corn hole competitions, a mechanical bull, food vendors, a beer garden, and more. For info and to register, visit www.cowboycrawlﬂ.com or contact the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce at 352.793.3099.

Great Clermont Triathlon (March 23–24)

Join athletes from all over the nation at Florida’s traditional triathlon season opener, the Great Clermont Triathlon. Saturday’s events include: the Sprint Triathlon (440-yard swim, eight-mile bike, threemile run); and the TriKidz Triathlon: Juniors (ages 6–10), which consists of a 100-yard swim, 2.5-mile bike, one-mile run. The seniors bracket (ages 10–15) consists of a 200-yard swim, ﬁve-mile bike, and two-mile run. Sunday’s events will include the International Triathlon (1.5K swim, 40K bike ride, and 10K run) and the International Duathlon (5K run, 40K bike ride, 10K run). Visit www.greatclermont. com for more information.

Grief Support Group (Every Wednesday)

The free Lake Grief Group meets at the First Church of Christ at 10a.m. The church is located at 510 W. Minneola Ave, Clermont. The 2013 program, which began on January 9th, features thirteen weekly seminars with nationally recognized experts on grief recovery covering the journey of grief. For more information, call 352.658.1408.

352 259 2159 or 352 728 3939 352.259.2159 or 352.728.3939 www.pma-physicians.com

1. HOLD OURSELVES AND OUR STAFF TO A HIGHER MORAL, ETHICAL AND CLINICAL STANDARD.

Give you your results on a timely basis.

RETURN PHONE CALLS EITHER BY OUR STAFF OR US PERSONALLY WHEN NEEDED.

Call in your prescriptions on a timely basis.

MAKE MEDICAL CARE AVAILABLE TO YOU 365 DAYS A YEAR (EVEN ON HOLIDAYS) BY KEEPING OUR URGENT CARES OPEN & HAVING COMPETENT PHYSICIANS AVAILABLE FOR YOU.

Never order a test when not medically necessary.

KEEP YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION IN MIND WHEN ORDERING PRESCRIPTIONS, OR TESTS, OR WHEN SENDING YOU TO A SPECIALIST.

Keep your medical care under our roof as much as possible for your comfort and convenience and not make you run around to different places to get the care that you need and deserve.

HAVE OUR PRACTICE COVERED BY A COMPETENT AND CARING PHYSICIAN WHEN UNAVAILABLE.

10.

Never take our patients for granted.

“Medical care to your door step”

352.508.1125 www.wellnessonwheelsfl.com

Shining Light On Education

The continuing growth of Beacon College was evident as dozens of people gathered on Main Street in Leesburg to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for the college’s newest facility, Beacon Hall. This 8,000-square-foot building will have classrooms specially designed for students with attention deﬁcit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities.

1. Antonio and LaJuanda Myers

2. Elizabeth Moore and Tiffany Reitz

3. Cathy Lutes, Sanna Henderson, and Brenda Meli

4. Kristin Klussmann and Caroline Le

5. Rob Stewart, Matt Brayton, and Carly Eisenstein

6. Joe Ehrli, Carly Reynolds, and Grifﬁn Boven

7. Dr. Walter Zielinski and John Hutchinson, Ph.D.

A Celebration Of Diversity

The Mount Dora Black Heritage Festival, held at Cauley Lott Memorial Park, brought the entire community together to celebrate unity. This event kicked off with a parade, and later, attendees were treated to spectacular performances from local dancers. Numerous community leaders addressed the crowd, including Mount Dora Police Chief T. Randall Scoggins. Festivalgoers also enjoyed a wide selection of delicious food.

PHOTOGRAPHER: RON VANDEVANDER

1. Reverend Corey Jones

2. Elija Terrell

3. Joann Walker

4. Cregg Keys and Jaris Bennerman

5. Adrianne, Adrian, and Micheline Reed

6. Anaysia and Yieshia Young

7. Charlene Ritter, Melvina Nixon, and Amy Bolt

Pretty In Pink

In an effort to raise money and awareness for breast cancer, Michael’s Couture Salon and other downtown Leesburg businesses hosted a block party last October. Attendees enjoyed live entertainment, face painting, a silent auction, food, and beverages. In addition, they had an opportunity to have their nails painted pink and receive a pink hair extension.

1. Robert and Sara Glenn

2. Cheri English and Lee Sutherland

3. Sue Sanders and Steve Zarrella

4. Chris Thorpe and Cari Simons

5. Kara Seng, Tina Perry, and Jacki Faunda

6. Sydney Glenn

7. Alex Dewey, Chris Kirk, Chuck Kirk, and Sherri Olson

“For years, I suffered with spider veins that continually became more painful as time went by. I work part-time, and my legs ached so badly that I found myself taking several Advil each day. I knew something had to be done. I found Comprehensive Vein Center to be the answer to my prayers. PA Tran and his knowledgeable and friendly staff went above and beyond, making a valiant effort to ensure I was receiving the best possible care.”

Beneﬁtting