January 2021
Lauren Murphy
Sparking Joy through Children’s Books Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
An exclusive publication for the residents of Lawrence Township
Letter from the Publisher
Expert Contributors
This issue marks the beginning of a new year—welcome 2021.
Medical Center RWJ University Hospital Hamilton 1 Hamilton Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690 609-586-7000 www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-hamilton/
Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ I 609-356-3465 nick@ce.land I ce.land.com
Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Micalah Taylor Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.com
Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC. Jodi Viaud, Partner & Advisor Bill Stolow, Medicare Specialist 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100, Pennington, NJ 08534 609-216-7440 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com I Info@knoxgrove.com
Home Remodeling Lawrenceville Home Improvement James Russo - Owner 2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 0848 609-882-6709 lawrencevillehomeimp.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 or at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
www.WilsonApple.com
Wilson-Apple Funeral Home Robert A Wilson, Owner NJ Lic # 2520
609-737-1498 R.Asher Wilson, Manager NJ Lic # 3823/Pa Lic # FD-000766
609-737-1498
609-466-0233 Timothy F. Reeg Funeral Director
Timothy F. Reeg, Manager NJ Lic # 3982/Pa Lic # FD-013977-E
609-392-1039 Serving Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrenceville, Ewing, Peinnington, Titusville, Blawenburg, and Princeton.
2
Feedback/Ideas/Submissions Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are 25th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.©2021 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
Wilson-Apple Funeral Home
Joseph A. Immordino, Jr., Manager NJ Lic # 4231
Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
Content Submission Deadlines: Content Due: Edition Date: November 25.................................January December 25................................February January 25........................................ March February 25.........................................April March 25..............................................May April 25................................................June May 25.................................................. July June 25............................................August July 25...................................... September August 25......................................October September 25 ��������������������������� November October 25................................ December
2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ
Cromwell-Immordino Memorial Home
It feels surreal to think we finally made it through the unique challenges of 2020, through a year filled with so much loss and seemingly never-ending hardship. Today, though, we look together to a better future.
Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC
Get the Benefits You Deserve for Your Workplace Injury Stark & Stark’s Workers’ Compensation Attorneys represent workers who have suffered a work-related injury or disease. With a full-service workers’ compensation practice, we will fight to help you recover all the benefits you deserve. www.Stark-Stark.com • 1-800-53-LEGAL 993 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 40 Lake Center, 401 NJ-73, Suite 130, Marlton, NJ 08053
January 2021
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Lawrence Neighbors
January is usually a time for resolutions, for promising yourself to stick with a new habit or maybe break an old one. This year, it seems enough to feel grateful to have a fresh start. 2020 was hard on all of us; I encourage you to be kind to yourself this season. We all struggled in different ways last year, and we all deserve peace and recognition for that. Many of us may not have all been on the front lines, but we all made sacrifices. This January, the new beginnings of a fresh year, let us allow ourselves to seek inspiration and joy in simple things. Whether that is a sweet smile of child, a deep breath of fresh air on a cold winter morning, drinking coffee, or curling up to read a good book, may these moments fill your senses with delight and help to find calmness all around you. I hope 2021 is good to you; it is certainly well deserved. May the new year bless you with hope, love, happiness, and good health. Please enjoy this issue. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
Like Rachel, I wish all of you good things in 2021. I share with you in this issue a book review of a very sweet story called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy, a gorgeously illustrated tale about friendship, love, hope, kindness, and gratitude. The horse in the story tells the boy, “When the dark clouds come, keep going... The storm will pass.” The dark clouds came for all of us last year, but the storm has passed. We have made it; and for that, I am grateful. I hope this year treats you all well. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
Local businesses need you more than ever. PLEASE SHOP LOCAL. Our advertisers bring you this publication. Please tell them you saw their ad in Lawrence Neighbors.
3
Book Review
New Year, New You: How to Live Well By Chelsea Scott
New Year’s resolutions are positive tools to lead us toward living a better and healthier life. Popular goals made this time of year include being healthier and losing weight, which is evident by the swell in January gym memberships. Others say making more money is high on their list for the new year. Interestingly, Americans’ resolutions in recent years have trended more toward committing to a higher quality of life, with “living life to the fullest” being at the top of most lists (Money.com). If you’re excited by this new resolution trend too, here are a few ways to “live well” this year.
extremely difficult, but it’s a good place to start. Do one room a month so you don’t get overwhelmed. Sort out things you haven’t used or worn for six months and donate them. For those of us who are visual people, removing clutter can help make us feel more relaxed. Donate everything that is in good condition.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse A Story of Hope in Uncertain Times By Catherine Bialkowski
Sources consulted: www.time.com/money/4163867/top-new-years-resolution-2016/ www.nosidebar.com/live-intentionally/
When is the last time you read a picture book? If you are not a child or a parent to young children, maybe it has been many years since you’ve done so. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a beautifully illustrated tale following the friendship of the four title characters that is worth reading for children and adults alike. The sentiments the author expresses through endearing illustration and carefully-selected diction may seem simple, but we as humans often overlook them. Especially now, in 2021, a fresh year we hope to fill with joy and light following the terrible hardship of 2020, we can all benefit from revisiting (or perhaps visiting for the first time) some of the simple yet profound observations about life author Mackesy shares in his New York Times bestselling book.
Imagine the Perfect Day
What does the perfect day look like to you? For may of us, it includes a mixture of productivity and free time. If you have an idea in mind of what makes you happy and what your ideal day looks like, it becomes more likely you will seek those things out more regularly.
Make Connections
Living well has much to do with the people we surround ourselves with. Beyond spending time with friends and family, take a moment to seek out a neighbor or someone in your community. You can never have too many friends.
Mackesy was born in Northumberland, the northernmost county in England. Although he never went to art school, he was trained in America by a portrait painter and worked for a time as a cartoonist for The Spectator. His depictions of the boy, the mole, the fox and the
Set Aside Quiet Time
Whether it’s 20 minutes of yoga in the morning, a moment of meditation before you fall asleep at night or listening to relaxing music as you wind down, quiet time is important. Use this daily time to think about the day and what you are grateful for.
In The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, the boy meets the animals one by one, learning from each of them and befriending them all. We, the readers, learn about the values of being still, of being kind to oneself, and of expressing gratitude even in dark times. “Most of the old moles I know wish they had listened less to their fears and more to their dreams,” says the mole. How often have we all done the same? “What is the bravest thing you ever said?” asks the boy. “Help,” says the horse. We have all been there, to the place where asking for help feels like giving up. But the horse teaches us that asking for help shows great strength. Although published in 2019, the message of this gem of a book is so timely; through the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse, we can see a light at the end of the long tunnel that enveloped much of 2020. We can see the brightness of the future, but we can also see the present, and the good we are experiencing now that we may not have noticed before. “We do not know about tomorrow,” says the horse. “All we need to know is that we love each other. When the dark clouds come, keep going. When the big things feel out of control, focus on what you love right under your nose. The storm will pass.”
Love People (And Yourself!) as They Are
This is tough. It’s human nature to want to change people. Our spouses and children, especially. The more we love and accept people for who they are now and stop waiting for them to change, the happier we will be. This is known as unconditional love, and it’s incredibly empowering to give and receive it.
This little story may seem like it’s meant for children, but it shares wisdom that can benefit the very old as well as the very young, and everyone in between. I encourage you to read it this winter and perhaps share it with a friend or a loved one. May it inspire us to look for light and joy in 2021 in places we may have forgotten to look, and may we always remember what the horse told the boy: the storm will pass; it always does.
Become A Minimalist
Or at least live more minimally. Getting rid of clutter can be
4
horse are whimsical, and, combined with the achingly true assertions about life in the book, create a hopeful, childlike world to escape into.
January 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
5
Educational Spotlight
Recipe
Lawrence Intermediate Students Take Civic Action and Make Change to Local Roadway
Mulled Wine
Column by Dr. Jonathan Dauber | Board Member, Lawrence Township Board of Education Article by LIS Students: Slavi Dusichka, Sofia Garmise, Hema Gujjar, Rory Laubach, Ginger Ryan, Mia Swingle, Nathan Tepper and Stella DeJesus
From Our Friends at Terhune Orchards
In March and April of 2020, the NJ Department of Transportation put in a pedestrian crossing light at the intersection of Eggerts Crossing Road and Route 206. This light installation was a long time coming; the result of many years of hard work by students at Lawrence Intermediate School (LIS). The new light makes crossing the road safer for kids walking to LIS and other pedestrians. At this particular location, there have been several serious accidents; the LIS students hope that the new light will reduce or eliminate accidents at this dangerous intersection. In June 2019, Ayden Anderson, Sienna Becker, Stella DeJesus, Slavi Dusichka, Sofia Garmise, Hema Gujjar, Danielle Marcelin, Rory Laubach, Ginger Ryan, Mia Swingle, Nathan Tepper, with guidance from Ms. Heller, presented to the Mayor of Lawrence and Town Council. The students effectively petitioned the Town Council and NJ Department of Transportation to have a pedestrian walking light installed. In preparation for the Town Council presentation, the students worked
with GMTMA (Greater Mercer Transportation Management Authority) to do research on the local roads. The students walked on Eggerts Crossing Road to observe traffic patterns and problem areas. Once the research was done, the kids identified several issues with the road. The students then sent a petition to the NJ Commissioner of Transportation, Ms. Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, asking the DOT to fix the problems. The petition included over 500 signatures of LIS students and the LIS principal. The students also prepared a script, along with a tri-fold display, for their presentation to Lawrence Town Council. It is important to acknowledge the many years of hard work by former LIS students. To be exact, for 6 years students annually presented suggestions for improving safety at this dangerous intersection to the Town Council. Each of these groups of kids put forth their best effort, and it finally paid off. Without the diligent effort of students who focused on making this busy intersection safer for pedestrians, it may have never happened. The kids involved in this project learned about civic action and the power of their voice in creating positive change in their community.
A mulled wine is perfect for a small gathering on a cold winter’s night. Our Chambourcin is a medium body red, dry wine with a clean finish, taste of cherry, plum and blackberry, full of fruity notes with a dry Chianti character.
3. Transfer the cranberries and liquid to a crockpot and add the wine, orange juice, cinnamon stick, ginger, diced apples and the zest and flesh of the lemon.
Ingredients:
Terhune Orchards, owned and operated by the Mount Family since 1975, expanded in the new direction of vineyard and winery in 2003 when they planted 3 acres of 12 varieties to see what would grow well in our climate, with the largest amounts in Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Now expanded to 9 acres of grapes and 16 varieties of wine including Apple Wine, Harvest Blues, and Just Peachy—all made from their own apple cider. Terhune Orchard Vineyard and Winery tasting room is in our historic 150 year old barn. Stop by to visit and look for special events through the season.
• 1 750 ml bottle of Terhune Orchards Chambourcin wine • 4 cups Terhune Orchards Apple Cider • 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen • ¼ to ½ cup granulated sugar • ¼ cup orange juice • ½ cup Terhune Orchards apples, peeled and diced • 1 cinnamon stick • 2 slices of fresh ginger • 1 lemon Directions: 1. In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the apple cider, cranberries and sugar and cook until the cranberries begin to pop and soften, about 10 minutes. 2. Zest the lemon. Cut off the ends and cut off the peel and discard. Thinly slice the lemon flesh.
4. Warm for an hour or more on low and enjoy with friends.
Terhune Orchards is dedicated to providing fresh produce and food to our community. They remain open for business. Healthy food is even more critical now. For over 45 years, Terhune has been committed to practicing high standards of quality and safety. Visit the Terhune Orchard Vineyard and Winery tasting room at 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Visit them at terhuneorchards.com or call 609-924-2310 for more information.
FAMILY FARM for 45-YEARS!
TER�UNE OWN WINE Virtual Wine Tastings
6
January 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
7
Resident Feature
Lauren Murphy Sparking Joy through Children’s Books By Catherine Bialkowski | Photos by Benoit Cortet
Bringing joy into other people’s lives can often bring us our own joy; Lauren Murphy knows this well. A clinical researcher by profession, Lauren finds great satisfaction in having the ability to bring good, high-quality medication to the market for the benefit of consumers around the world. Lauren has found another way to spark joy, though—through writing books for children. Lauren never had a dog of her own until she met her husband, Mike Toscani, but she had always loved them growing up. At the time they met, Mike had a beagle named Pepper. “The bond was instantaneous. I immediately fell in love with Pepper,” says Lauren. She and Mike, who is a research professor at the Rutgers Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships, have had dogs together ever since, for almost 25 years—all beagles. Lauren has always had a special place in her heart for children’s stories; for her, there is something special about their simplicity, their purity. The genre itself embodies joy. She often finds herself enjoying children’s stories more than ones intended for adults; they are a beautiful escape from the often-stressful world. Lauren’s love for dogs inspired her to ponder the idea of a creative outlet. “It got me thinking, wouldn’t it be great to write a children’s book?” “It has been a joy,” says Mike, referring to watching Lauren explore a dream she’d had for many years but always moved onto the next to-do list, telling herself she had no time. When something is important to you, she says, “You just make it happen.” Lauren has written two children’s books so far, There’s a Beagle in My Closet and Where’s My Rawhide?, both centering on the adventures of a beagle named Scooter. It was important to Lauren that her stories not only be interesting to children, but also have a theme. Her first book encourages curiosity in children, and the second, determination. Lauren and Mike were fortunate enough to have a few connections within their network; they found a proofreader and an editor for the books, then two talented illustrators, Denise O’Brien and Ross Marinaro. Mike is one of Lauren’s biggest supporters. He has seen firsthand the delight her books have brought, both to Lauren herself and the children to whom she gives her stories about Scooter the dog. “We enjoy giving them out to family and friends,” she says. Although not for general sale, they have donated the books to charities, local libraries, and pediatricians’ office waiting rooms, and even occasionally surprise a child at a local restaurant when they go out to eat. Lauren’s other biggest supporter is her mother, Rosemarie. They see each other weekly for coffee. Lauren picks up her mother, who lives in nearby Hamilton, and
8
January 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
9
Resident Feature surprises her with a coffee shop location for a hot drink and dessert. During these chats, Lauren and her mother catch up on each other’s weeks and talk about life and family. “It’s a simple thing for me carving time out of my schedule and being fortunate enough to have her local,” says Lauren. And Rosemarie, who will be 90 in January, has encouraged her daughter from the start to follow her inspirations Now that the books are written, she often asks Lauren, “When is the next book coming out?” For Lauren, her and Rosemarie’s Coffee Chats center on the concept of gratitude—gratitude for her mother, for their bond, for small things like the coffee they drink and the words they exchange. This one weekly meeting has shaped both women’s lives towards a spirit of appreciation and giving thanks for things and people often taken for granted. Although Mike lived in Lawrence when he and Lauren first met, the couple lived in New Hope for over 20 years before returning to the community a few years ago. They have loved every minute of living in Lawrence. “We very much love the Village, and being able to walk everywhere,” says Lauren. They walk their dog, Maggie, in the park every day, and can walk to
many of their favorite local shops and restaurants. “It’s a very comfortable community to be in. We are blessed with great neighbors.” A strong sense of community is important to Lauren and Mike; they belong to Rotary International, an organization whose mission is to “bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world,” according to its website. The principal motto of Rotary is “service above self,” and Lauren and Mike have truly taken these words to heart. They have hosted three exchange students through Rotary, and have lived their lives according to its motto. Lauren and Mike are grateful for the lives they’ve made here in Lawrence Township, and for the fruition of Lauren’s dream, something that once seemed out-of-reach. “I feel very fortunate and blessed when I think about Lauren and how she always thinks of service first,” says Mike. “It is a joy to Lauren, knowing there are folks out there reading her books and that they are making children smile.”
Classes for All Ages
Learning for Healthy Living View the complete schedule and register online at rwjbh.org/events or call 609-584-5900.
INVEST IN YOUR OUTDOOR SPACES
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming January 2021 issues! Contact Rachel Donington at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
• Support groups • Nutrition and fitness • Lifelong learning for wellness of the mind, body and spirit • Kids and family wellness and fitness
22622810 HAM Best Version December 2020 Community Ed Ad_m1.indd 1
10
Log in, call in, and live healthy!
Lawrence Neighbors
• Better Health, a FREE membership program for adults 65+. Visit rwjbh.org/hamiltonbetterhealth to sign up!
11/23/20 6:37 PM
11
Imagine a Community Without Frantic Families By Patrick Lencioni, founder and president, The Table Group Parents are the CEOs of their families, and families are more important than companies. Yes, I am confident that both of those statements are true. And so, it stands to reason that parents should go about planning and organizing their home life with at least as much strategic clarity as a CEO runs his or her business. Unfortunately, most of them don’t. I certainly didn’t. And the cost of this is greater than we know, for our families, our children, our marriages, and even our communities. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. Imagine you, your family, and your community, being calmer, more intentional and more peaceful. Imagine not having to worry about whether your son makes the travel squad of the underwater lacrosse team, or whether your daughter takes advanced placement astrophysics during her junior year of high school, or whether you should have bought that lake house while interest rates were low like your neighbors did. Theodore Roosevelt once said that “comparison is the thief of joy,” and it is so easy for parents and families to lose their joy when they are tempted to compare their lives to the people next door, down the street or in the next pew over at church. The key to avoiding this is to get clear—really clear—about who you are and what matters most to you, and then making decisions with confidence, knowing that you’re living true to yourselves regardless of what others are doing. That is the purpose of my book, The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family.
we run this family, they’d go out of business.” Feeling like I was criticizing her, Laura objected, and I reminded her that it was as much my fault as hers. In fact, I was more at fault because I spent my days helping others create clarity and strategy, and I did virtually nothing in that area at home. So I adapted the work I did for corporations for families and came up with The Three Big Questions.
Bringing Hygge Home By Catherine Bialkowski
What this entails is actually simple. In just an hour over dinner, parents can have a discussion that provides a basic but critical level of family clarity. By asking and discussing a few key questions, they can identify the values that guide the behavior of the family, the basic principles that create the strategy for the family, and the single greatest priority for the family over the next few months. By carving out just 15 minutes each week, they can review those things and make whatever decisions and adjustments are necessary to keep things smooth and on track. The book provides real-life examples from different kinds of families, from those with young kids to emptynesters. It’s a fictional story about a husband and wife who discover the model, but the most important thing about the book is this: it really works. Additional Assets: www.tablegroup.com/download/frantic-family-model/
I discovered the model for the book years ago. By day I was, and still am, a consultant to CEOs. By night I’m a husband and father. One evening I came home, and innocuously said to Laura, my wife: “If my clients ran their companies the way
Patrick Lencioni was named in Fortune magazine as one of the “ten new gurus you should know.” His passion for organizations and teams is reflected in his writing, speaking and executive consulting. He is the author of eleven best-selling books.
6. Go outside, weather permitting (there’s nothing like being fully immersed in nature on a hike or simply a walk around the neighborhood to see the holiday lights, freezing temperature and all, and then returning inside for some hot chocolate)
Because of the temperature, bringing warmth into your home and life is especially important at this time of year. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is a type of depression that can begin in late fall and lift in the spring and summer months. Even if you don’t experience SAD, it is easy to long for sunlight, to picture yourself on a warm beach somewhere else, to wish you could step outside in bare feet. And, as a result, your mood might sink as low as the setting-too-early sun.
7. Keep your feet warm with socks and slippers (the fuzzier the better)
Fortunately, all is not lost until the Spring Equinox rolls around or the Phil the groundhog proclaims spring is near from his home in Punxsutawney. There are certain things you can work into your home and your lifestyle that will encourage warmth--both physical and symbolic. Hygge Hygge, pronounced “hyoo-gah,” is a Danish word that refers to a feeling of coziness, warmth, or charm, and many Danish people incorporate this concept into their everyday lives. The Danish, perhaps not coincidentally, are ranked year after year as the happiest people in the world. It’s a lovely thought that the concept of hygge, of living a cozy, simple life, is behind their joy. Many books have been published about how to fully embrace hygge, but you can start feeling this feeling today, likely with things you already have. You might even be able to experience hygge right now if you look out a nearby window to see bare, frozen tree trunks, knowing you are safe and warm inside. I bring hygge into my life by lighting candles, having plenty of soft blankets on hand, displaying (and reading!) books, enjoying a steaming mug of tea, cooking and baking, and using soft, yellow lighting in my home (lamps instead of harsh overhead light). Here are some other ways to incorporate hygge into your home and life:
Savings around the corner.
1. Sit around a campfire or fireplace (this natural form of light beats fluorescent any day)
8. Indulge in your favorite comfort foods and desserts (it’s hard not to during the winter months) 9. Watch a seasonal movie (classics are particularly hygge) 10. Handwrite a diary entry or a letter to a friend (old-fashioned but truly comforting) I hope the concept of hygge brings warmth to your life as it did mine; it might seem superfluous or overrated, but it has the potential to bring you joy.
Campus shared with St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center
MOVE-IN SPECIAL 1st month 30% discount 2nd month 20% discount 3rd month 10% discount
Waived community fee for St. Mary & Grace Gardens - a $2,500 value. **excluding Morris Hall Meadows**
Ready to take the next step?
2. Create something with your hands (you might crochet, knit, embroider, do woodwork, weld, whatever skill you have or can learn)
Let us help you save on car insurance and more.
3. Read (fantasies and mysteries are especially cozy!)
Chris Cline 825 Route 33, Hamilton 609-530-1000 | geico.com/mercer
12
There is no denying that it’s cold outside. Perhaps it is snowing as you read this, curled up on the couch or at your kitchen table. Or maybe, at the very least, there is a chilly wind sifting through the tree branches outside your window.
4. Invite friends into your home for dinner (making others feel welcomed can warm your own heart) 5. Decorate for the season or upcoming holiday (go all out with the holiday cheer!)
January 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
St. Mary’s Assisted Living
Grace Garden Memory Care Assisted Living
St. Joseph’s Skilled Nursing
Morris Hall Meadows
Located in Lawrenceville, NJ For more information, please visit us at www.morrishall.org or contact us at mhadmissions@morrishall.org or 609.895.1937
13
Expert Contributor
you manage your finances, at the end of the day, your financial journey should be a joyful ride. As a bonus, when you get your finances in order and feel good about your investment decisions you can pass on a positive and stress-free relationship with money to your children. Make that part of your legacy plan!
Growing with the Grove
We’d love to help you start off the year with a candid, positive discussion about your finances, provide you with the tools you need to make good financial decisions and get you excited about your next conversation about money. Call us at 609-216-7440.
Financial Advice from Our Family to Yours
Christina A. Nash
By Christina A. Nash, CFP® & Jodi Viaud, CFP®
&
Founding Partner & Financial Adviser
Can We Talk About It? Let’s face it, for most of us, talking about money can be hard. It can be downright uncomfortable to be transparent about how you’re handling your finances, particularly if you have a negative view about money in general. Research shows that your background and past experiences influence your conscious and unconscious attitudes towards money, especially when it comes to financial planning. If having a conversation about your finances sets off an alarm and has you running for the hills, it may be a sign that you and your money are not on the best terms! The good news is you can have a healthy and stress-free relationship with money. Working with a financial advisor, one that will help you think about money as a tool to help you reach your goals, rather than the goal itself, is a great way to start. You’ll gain a different, professional perspective to help you understand your finances and make better fiscal decisions. An in-depth conversation with a financial advisor will help you address any concerns you have about your current financial situation, by focusing on topics that are important to you and setting the foundation for an overall financial strategy. You can get started by tackling some of the basics:
• Savings: The easiest way to ensure that you are saving a portion of your hard-earned dollars is to establish an automatic savings plan. Whether it’s to a savings account, 401(k), IRA, or some other type of Qualified account, commit to a specific amount each month and set up an automatic deposit into that account. • Debt and Spending: Make yourself accountable by creating a budget. Include every source of income and every dollar that’s being spent. Try to understand the motives behind your spending. Are you making too many impulse purchases? Does it feel like your debt is surreptitiously increasing? It’s more likely you had a hand in that, but you can get a handle on it by understanding your spending behavior. • Plan ahead – Determine what your long-term goals are and then put your money to work for you. You worked hard to earn it, make sure it’s working just as hard for you. Your budget should include investing a portion of your monthly earned income for future goals and expenses - education, home ownership, vacation, retirement, and legacy plans. This is where the expertise of a financial planner can make all the difference by helping you make choices that align with your long-term goals. Understanding the reasoning behind your financial behavior will set you on the right path to making better decisions about your money. While you may have to make some adjustments to how
Improve Your Relationship with Money in 2021
vvv Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
YOUR PAT H FORWARD
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 882-6709 www.lawrencevillehomeimp.com
SHARE YOUR STORIES Do you know any local student athletes, coaches or teams who deserve some recognition? Tell us why! Visit our website to submit your articles and videos so we can feature the go-getters and MVPs in your neighborhood.
SUBMIT YOUR STORY TODAY! ⊳⊳⊳⊳
• Goal and Risk Assessment • Retirement. Tax and Estate Planning • Education Funding • Charitable Giving
Christina Nash, CFP® Founding Partner and Financial Adviser
DOORS I SIDING I WINDOWS I BLINDS
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1952 LIC#13VH00230500
YOUR PATH FORWARD Comprehensive Financial Life Plans
• Personalized Investment Strategies • Asset Allocation and Risk Management • Account Monitoring • Asset Preservation
Partner & Financial Adviser
Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 KnoxGroveFinancial.com
Kick off the new year with a personalized financial plan that will help you understand your finances and set you on a path of wealth creation and preservation.
Investment Portfolio Management
Jodi Viaud
BVM SPORTS: ONE PLACE. ALL SPORTS.
Jodi Viaud, CFP® Partner and Financial Adviser
To schedule an appointment to talk about your financial future, call our office at 609-216-7440 Knox Grove Financial, LLC | 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 | Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 | www.knoxgrovefinancial.com Info@knoxgrove.com
DOWNLOAD THE BVM SPORTS APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE ⊲ JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
14
January 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
15
2951
E Y LAK T R E B LI AMP DAY C
OPEN HOUSE! JAN 30 • 11-3
TS ™ PA R E N cols
Proto • Safety ion nsportat • Bus Tra iends r g New F • Makin s + Snack • Lunch TED
SPACE
IS LIMI
Successfully Opened During Summer 2020
OUTDOORS + SCREEN FREE! LibertyLakeDayCamp.com • 609.499.7820