DALLAS TEXAS | VOL. 1
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FEATURED ARTICLES
RETIREMENT • INVESTING • VACATION
RECOMMENDED SERVICE DIRECTORY
TRAVEL • LIVING • HEALTH • DINING
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TABLE OF CO NTE NT S
FEATURES 2
Saving For Retirement
8
Investing for the Future
10
Senior Living
16
Luxury Living
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20 Destination Vacations
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24 Local Event Guide 28 Travel In Style 32
Recommended Service Directory
• Promote your brand • Earn new clients • Grow your business www.The55Guide.com
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10 Year Countdown
To Retirement
Money See Where You Stand - It’s time to assess how prepared, or unprepared, you are financially for retirement.
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Take a quick test: Assuming your retirement is about 10 years away, you want to have roughly seven times your current salary in savings, according to research from Fidelity. That puts you on the road to having about 10 times your final salary saved by retirement and maintaining your present standard of living. Retire before hitting 67 and you’ll need more saved; after, you’ll need less.
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.Do a deeper dive: Plug your current numbers (such as earnings, savings and future pensions) into an online calculator to estimate your retirement income. Experts say you’ll need 75 to 80 percent of preretirement income to live well — debatable but a good starting point.
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.Don’t despair: You have 10 years to act, by earning more, trimming expenses or delaying retirement. “Whatever you can do can only help,” says George Papadopoulos, a financial planner in Novi, Mich.
Save the easy way If you’re among the 82 percent of workers paid via direct deposit, save more by splitting your pay across accounts. Have your payroll department put part of each check into an online savings account, where it’s out of sight and out of mind. The direct-deposit users who split their deposits save up to $90 more per month than those who use another method to save, according to a recent study.
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Pad your nest egg If you already have healthy savings in a 401(k), 403(b) or IRA, open a Roth IRA (in 2019 you can contribute up to $7,000 if you’re 50 or older), or put money into a regular taxable account.
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Why do it You’re laying the groundwork for lower taxes later. Say you need a new roof on your house in retirement. If you take money from a 401(k) or traditional IRA, it is taxable as ordinary income, and you may end up in a higher tax bracket, explains Carolyn McClanahan, founder of Life Planning Partners. But you can pull your contributions from a Roth IRA tax free (earnings, too, if you’re at least 59½ and have had the Roth at least five years). You can also invest via a basic taxable brokerage account; when you sell securities, you’ll pay only (usually lower) capital gains taxes on the profits.
Pay down the mortgage The problem with a mortgage in retirement is that you may have to sell investments to cover payments. And sometimes that will be when the markets are down - the worst possible time to sell, says Shelley Giordano, chair of the Funding Longevity Task Force at the American College of Financial Services. Her advice: 1.
In place of your monthly payments, make half payments every two weeks. Those 26 payments per year are the equivalent of 13 monthly payments, resulting in a faster payoff and lower total interest costs.
2. Got a tax refund? A bonus? A side job? Apply that to your principal. 3. Avoid refinancing your mortgage, since a new loan with a later payoff date means more of your monthly payment goes to interest expense, not an increase in your home equity. 4. Don’t use a home equity loan or line of credit for purchases. The new tax law makes that less attractive, says Giordano. And this is the wrong time to be growing your mortgage debt. (. . .continued on page 8)
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Put new retirement savings to work Not sure where to invest additional money? Aim for growth, somewhere between a trip to Vegas and stuffing cash into your mattress.
The sweet spot •. Balanced mutual funds: Seek a mix of stocks and bonds; a 50/50 or 60/40 ratio of stocks to bonds is reasonable. • Target-date mutual funds: These balanced funds automatically adjust investments to lower risk as you age.
Conservative but sound • High-grade corporate bond funds • Money market accounts • U.S. government bond funds • Certificates of deposit and online savings accounts (See bankrate.com for Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.–insured banks offering higher rates.) • Series I inflation-protected savings bonds (sold at treasurydirect.gov)
Work Prepare Your Plan B - Ask yourself these questions, and be honest. 1.
Do I work in a stable and growing industry?
2. Do I work for a stable and growing company? 3. Is my heart still in it? Have you answered no to any? It’s time to update your LinkedIn profile and see what else is out there.
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Why do it: Only about half of workers cruise their way to a planned, voluntary retirement; the rest of us exit prematurely, often as a result of job loss or burnout. But you still have time to regroup. “With 10 years to go, there is still enough runway to make a mark,” says career and retirement expert Nancy Collamer.
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.How to do it: You know the routine. Tell people who can help you. Sign up for job alerts on the go-to site in your industry. Browse the postings that interest you, and note the skills that employers are seeking.
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.Want to stay put? Get busy anyway. “Whether you drive a bus or work in a store or in a professional occupation, maximize your opportunities by building your capital,” Collamer advises. “Give talks or write articles to boost your profile, or take advantage of short-term training programs.” One option: Go to linkedin.com/learning and get online access to thousands of business, creative and technology courses for $30 per month. Miller, Mark and Powell, Robert, AARP (2019, Feb 6). Countdown to Retirement: 10 Years [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2019/10-year-countdown.html
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INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE Not many people stumble into financial security through sheer luck: a lottery win, big inheritance, or huge stock winnings. For most of us the only way to financial security is a long term plan of saving and investing. Consistency is key to reaching long term goals no matter your income. The sooner you start saving and investing, the longer your money has to compound and grow. Set goals for how much of your income you will invest monthly and stick to it. Keep investment money and cash reserves separate so you won’t dip into your investment account when the market is down. Keep expenses low and spend on what is really important to you whether it is experiences or material things.
a financial advisor who is more knowledgeable about financial markets. An advisor will help analyze short term vs long term needs, separate emotions from objectives as well as help with devising a portfolio and strategy suitable for your needs.
Try to avoid the big mistakes, like buying a home that is more than you really need or creating a heavy debt load.
Investing consistently over the long term is the best way to grow your wealth as there is no way to time the market.
If your employer offers a matching 401(k) contribution, be sure to take advantage of that option and contribute at least enough to receive it. It is essentially extra income that will grow and compound and is not taxed until you withdraw it. You can do it yourself but it probably makes more sense to work with 8
g n i v i L r o i n e S RETIRE WITHOUT CHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE
Today’s upscale senior communities offer “resort style living” which is hospitality-oriented and resembles a 4-star hotel or cruise ship rather than a hospital or retirement home. Amenities Some of the more luxurious communities at the deluxe level even feature lively bars with chandeliers and overstuffed pillows. More standard amenities include:
Activities: Education and Entertainment, Fashion shows, Lectures from retired professors and various social and cultural events which are all examples of regularly planned activities for residents at higher-end facilities. In urban settings, planned outings to the city for museums, art galleries or theater visits are frequent occurrences as well. Grounds-keeping: Luxury communities are beautifully designed on the outside as well, from gardens to ponds to putting greens and walkways. Many include well-appointed courtyards for residents to socialize, relax, or enjoy a meal. Concierge Service: Offering ‘Concierge Service’ is what makes a Senior Living community a Luxury one. Similar to a hotel concierge, a resident can use the Concierge to arrange hotel flights or tickets to events, a service that makes these luxury communities clearly more desirable to prospective residents and their families. 10
Modern Therapies: Assisted living communities offer personal care to their residents, and the best communities often offer top notch therapy on top of standard care. In addition to specialized pet and physical therapy, upscale communities often also provide top notch occupational therapy, and music therapy, and always from trained and certified professionals. Residences: The kitchen is the focal point of any home and it’s no different when looking at the residence at an Assisted Living community. A standard assisted living apartment has a kitchenette, traditionally including a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a small amount of cabinet and counter space. The luxury assisted living residences feature full kitchens and appliances plus top of the line finishes, like granite counter tops for instance. (. . .continued on page 12)
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Dining: An upscale senior living community will most likely retain a registered dietitian on staff and employ experienced chefs who serve gourmet meals. Choice and variety are crucial for the success of a kitchen at a luxurious community and most have more than two restaurants within the community, each with their own menus. Personal Fitness Trainers and Recreational Facilities: Recreation rooms are always available to use at the residents’ convenience, with computer labs, fitness rooms and cinemas. Fitness programs supervised by physical therapists and personal trainers are also kept on staff by any upscale community. High-end assisted living communities also provide full service spa treatments, beauty salons for the women and barbershops for the men. Additionally, no luxury assisted living community would be complete without a heated pool and spa, which are always popular with residents. Pet Friendly: Studies have shown that pet ownership has been shown to be beneficial to seniors, and more and 12
more luxury communities are open to allowing residents to have their pets on site. There can sometimes be limitations regarding the size and number of pets. They frequently provide pet care such as dog walking, nail clipping, grooming and litter-box changes as well as formal, certified pet therapy. Spacious Apartments: One can expect about 20% more square footage at a Luxury community (approx 600 sf versus 500 sf at a standard community). A Two bedroom apartment at an upscale community can be more than 1200 square feet. Clearly, senior living is not what it was years ago. And for the retiree with means, it can be a lively, active, and rewarding lifestyle full of growth and fun!
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LUXURY LIVING IDEAS
Upgrading your home is only limited by your imagination and budget. Is it a luxury bath, fabulous kitchen, incredible master suite or home theatre that you desire?
KITCHEN Your kitchen is probably the heart of your home. This is where memories are made and shared as families love to congregate in the kitchen. The possibilities are endless. White is the most popular color for cabinetry but combining cabinet colors is the latest trend in kitchen design. Blues and greens are also becoming popular. Quartz is the latest for countertops and islands. Commercial-grade appliances, extra sinks and dishwashers all add to the luxury kitchen. Also popular are pizza ovens, appliance garages, warming drawers and under- counter refrigerators for wine and other drinks. If you have space, consider a butler’s pantry which acts like a second kitchen - great for caterers or just an extra space for food prep without disturbing the main kitchen area.
BATH For a luxurious bath, create a spa-worthy retreat. Consider heated floors and towel racks, a steam shower and a large soaking tub. Create a separate water closet for the latest in remote controlled toilets that feature a night light, bidet and self cleaning feature. Turn a great piece of furniture into your double sink vanity for a sophisticated look. And why not have a sofa and television for added ambiance.
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MASTER SUITE Add a mini-kitchen which includes a small fridge and coffee bar along with a sitting area so that you can enjoy your wine or coffee first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. Fireplaces are another nice touch for a romantic setting. If your home is equipped with gas, they are an easy addition.
LUXURY LIVING IDEAS MOVIE ROOM If you have a spare room, create your own private theatre with a high-definition flat screen tv, surround sound and theatre seating. A popcorn machine and fridge for drinks are nice additions. 18
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TRENDING LOCATIONS TO VISIT THIS YEAR
Destination
Vacations
If you are looking for an exciting and affordable travel destination, consider the following destinations 1. Hawaii is a tropical paradise loved by all. It offers a rich marine life, unmatched underwater experiences, gorgeous landscapes, volcanoes, and interesting history. Of the six largest islands, Maui has the state’s most beautiful beaches - some with white sand and others with red or black sand. Oahu has Hawaii’s largest city and capital, Honolulu, which is known for Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor’s World War II memorials. The weather is perfect and there are endless opportunities for adventure. 2. Barcelona is both a beautiful city as well as a renowned beach town. It boasts a lively nightlife, lots of activities, and restaurants galore. There are amazing museums and galleries; Including the Picasso and Salvador Dali Museums, La Sagrada Familia, and other buildings by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. Las Ramblas, the main walking street ends with a monument to Christopher Columbus honoring his discovery of the new world. 3. The Bahamas, which is made up of a series of islands, has the clearest turquoise water on the planet, as well as white sandy beaches. (...continued on page 22)
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Underwater adventures abound - dive for Spanish galleons, seek out the caves, or go sailing or fishing. The Bahamas offers a plethora of Eco-tourism options, from bird watching to hiking. Nassau offers cultural sites like Ardastra Gardens and the Conservation center, in addition to being the capital city, but the Bahamas is great for island hopping as well. Or just pick one of the great resorts and relax at the beach.
4. Tel Aviv, known as the non-stop city, is a vibrant and exciting city on the Mediterranean Sea. It offers beautiful beaches, great cafes and restaurants, exciting night life and a 24 hour a day culture. History abounds and there are interesting museums including the Tel Aviv Museum and the Eretz Israel Museum which covers archeology, folklore, crafts and features an on-site excavation of 12th century-BC ruins. Tel Aviv is also the technology and financial center of Israel.
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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
DALLAS JANUARY
APRIL
Jan 1, Day 1 Dallas Families celebrate the first day of the new year in Fair Park with kid-friendly activities such as crafts, bounce houses, face painting and a fireworks show. Proceeds benefit the homeless children and families served by Vogel Alcove. day1dallas.com
April 1 - 7, Savor Dallas Dozens of restaurants and chefs participate in this food, wine and spirits festival that takes place at venues near downtown Dallas. The epicurean centerpiece of the fest is the Grand Tasting, which features literally hundreds of wines to taste. savordallas.com
Jan 21, MLK Parade The civil rights leader is remembered at more than a dozen observances in North Texas. This parade featuring bands, floats, churches and community and civic groups travels through South Dallas to Fair Park and is followed by a celebration at the African American Museum. dallasmlkcenter.com
FEBRUARY Feb 23 - Apr 7, Dallas Blooms The Dallas Arboretum’s floral festival features more than 500,000 spring-blooming bulbs that include tulips and daffodils. There are lots of associated activities for all ages, including the picnic-perfect nighttime concert series called Cool Thursdays. dallasarboretum.org
MARCH March 16, Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade More than 125,000 green-clad revelers will pack the 2-mile parade route, which runs south on Greenville Avenue from Blackwell Street to SMU Boulevard. The parade ends around lunchtime but the party continues till last call at block parties, concerts and nearby bars and restaurants. dallasstpatricksparade.com March 27 - 31, DFW Auto Show Browse, compare and test drive a lineup of new and redesigned vehicles at this more than three-decades-running event that boasts more than half a million square feet of new cars, trucks and SUVs. Expect ride and drive opportunities, a kids’ zone, live music and celebrity appearances. dfwautoshow.com
April 5 - 7, Deep Ellum Arts Festival Celebrate the fun and funky neighborhood at this free fest featuring hundreds of artists, more than a hundred bands playing original music and a Sunday pet parade. The fest is also a good chance to check out the latest wave of restaurants, bars and shops to open in this ever-changing entertainment district. deepellumartsfestival.com
MAY May 11, Asian Festival Enjoy a wide variety of performances and authentic food during this celebration of Asian cultures at Dallas’ Fair Park. A series of pavilions will highlight countries represented at the fest. gdaacc.com
JUNE Jun 7 - 9, Taste of Dallas This decades-old food festival moves indoors in 2019 with three new events featuring dozens of restaurants. The Saturday and Sunday events will highlight chefs who work in Oak Cliff, Deep Ellum, Uptown, Park Cities, Greenville Avenue, downtown, Knox-Henderson and West Village. tasteofdallas.org
JULY July 3, Addison Kaboom Town This July 3 fireworks display brings about 500,000 people to Addison to ooh and aah at the free 30-minute show. The big event is at Addison Circle Park where there will be live music, an airshow and more, but nearby bars, restaurants and hotels get in on the action with watch parties. addisonkaboomtown.com July 14, Bastille on Bishop This French-themed festival, which celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison, an important event (. . .continued on page 26)
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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
DALLAS in the French revolution, features available-for-purchase food and drink (including wine and crepes) and entertainment in the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. bastilleonbishop.com
AUGUST Aug 10 - Sept 3, DFW Restaurant Week More than 125 restaurants will offer three-course, fixed-price dinners for one week, plus some will offer lunch for $20, participate in a preview event and extend their offerings one or two weeks. For each meal purchased, 20 percent of the price will be donated to either the North Texas Food Bank or Lena Pope in Fort Worth. dfwrestaurantweek.com Aug 16 - 24, North Texas Fair & Rodeo Hear concerts from big-name country musicians, check out livestock exhibitions and sit on the edge of your seat during rodeo events at this annual fair in Denton. On the first Saturday, the rodeo parade will circle Denton’s courthouse square. ntfair.com
SEPTEMBER Sept 19 - 22, Addison Oktoberfest This German tradition is alive and well in North Texas with celebrations happening from Fort Worth to McKinney. One of the biggest events is at Addison Circle Park, where thousands gather to enjoy authentic food and beer, live music, performances by Alpine dancers and dachshund races, all located in and around a massive Munich-style beer tent. addisonoktoberfest.com Sept 20 - 22, Plano Balloon Festival Dozens of colorful hot-air balloons launch several times over the three-day event, and some will be inflated and tethered on the festival grounds for balloon glows at night. The fest also includes sky divers, fireworks, concerts and children’s attractions. planoballoonfest.org
OCTOBER Oct 26 - 27, Park and Palate The two-day foodie fest returns to Klyde Warren Park with events and tastings that showcase the Lone Star State’s top chefs and notable beer, wine and spirits from both our backyard and from around the world. Enjoy live music, dining and more, all with 26
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a great view of the Dallas skyline. parkandpalate.org Oct 26, Oak Lawn Halloween Party This adults-only see-and-be-seen costume party takes place the Saturday before Halloween on Cedar Springs Road among the neighborhood’s many gay bars. Walk the cosplay runway, dance to music by deejays or check out some of the local haunts. But don’t be caught without a costume, and don’t expect parking to be child’s play.
NOVEMBER Nov 3, Diwali Mela Festival More than 100,000 people celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, during this festival at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park. Activities and entertainment include a laser show, pony rides, fireworks, a kids’ corner and more than 100 vendors selling food and merchandise. dfwdiwalimela.com Nov 24, GM Financial Parade of Lights The Sunday before Thanksgiving, Fort Worth helps kick off the Christmas season with this downtown parade featuring hundreds of illuminated floats, 500,000 lights, bands, balloons, antique cars and more. Santa will make his entrance on a specially designed, LED-lighted grand finale float. fortworthparadeoflights.org
DECEMBER Dec 7, Dallas Holiday Parade Downtown Dallas gets a large dose of holiday spirit when Santa Claus comes to town for this procession that includes festive floats, huge inflatables, costumed characters, special guests, marching bands and other performers. dallasholidayparade.com Dec 31, Over the Top Reunion Tower NYE The downtown Dallas landmark known as The Ball will again illuminate the night sky in the final moments of the year with a fireworks show featuring more than 4,000 pyrotechnics. Many bars, restaurants and hotels in Trinity Groves, downtown, Uptown and Deep Ellum will join in on the fun and host watch parties. reuniontower.com
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Travel in Style – by Bonnie Roseman
If there’s anything I’ve learned in my 35 years as a stylist, it’s to “carry on,” and by that of course, I mean take a carry-on bag! In order to make travel easier for my busy clients, I’ve spent years developing techniques to make traveling simple and fun. A carry-on bag is key to making your journey more enjoyable; no more hauling multiple bags, or worrying about losing your luggage, which can ruin your trip before you even begin! In my most recent trip abroad, I traveled to the Scandinavian countries before flying to Greece for a little sun in the Cycladic Islands. After that, it was off to Italy and over the Alps. All the while, I had just one bag with me. (...continued on page 30) 28
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To make the most of your luggage space, I suggest you wear your jeans and sneakers, and carry your leather jacket while you travel, to save space in your bag. Roll all items tightly! It saves space, and keeps everything from wrinkling. I usually prefer to stuff my undies and socks in my shoes. Select pieces with fabrics that can wash and hang to dry without needing to be pressed – it’s easier to keep things fresh and avoid using foreign cleaners that can be very expensive. Here are the basics for 6 weeks of traveling abroad across different climates. This short, gender-neutral list includes the basics for a great travel wardrobe. I recommend that your main wardrobe color for travel be black. It looks slimming on everyone, and doesn’t show dirt as easily. A few colorful tee tops can be added to give a little zip to your ensemble. All of these items will fit into your carry-on luggage and provide options for mixing and matching stylish looks while you see the world. You can then personalize your list by adding your toiletries, gloves, hat, or other essential accessories as needed.
TRAVEL WARDROBE Underwear 6 undergarments 6 pairs of socks Pajamas (your choice) Outerwear 2 tee shirts 2 button down shirts (one dressy, one casual) 2 pairs of pants (one jean, one black trouser) 1 pair of shorts 2 jackets (one leather, one raincoat) 1 cashmere sweater (pullover or cardigan) 1 bathing suit 1 basic black blazer (can be worn day or night) Accessories Scarves (colorful, lightweight) Belts (at least one black) Jewelry (a few pop pieces) 1 tie (traditional or bow tie) Shoes One heel or dress shoe One pair of flats (for day or night) One pair of sandals
Feel good, and look even better! Please contact me personally if you have any questions or would like to see my unique travel collection which can be dressed up or down. Bonnie@bonnieroseman.com | www.bonnieroseman.com | 917-209-0516 Bonnie Roseman Bio Fashion Designer. Style Consultant. Wardrobe Architect. The press has designated Bonnie Roseman as the ultimate fashion expert over the years. Featured on the NBC Today Show, People Magazine, and more, Roseman furthered her B-L-T brand by presenting her collection through the Home Shopping Network and Home Shopping Europe. Bonnie Roseman’s BLT has evolved into a full service boutique for women of all body types and lifestyles, featuring wrinkle-free fabrics and unique accessories that pack well and travel lightly wherever you go. Schedule with Bonnie and she’ll tell you all the secrets she’s been telling her clients for over 30 years. 30
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Donate today at redcross.org
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SERVICE DIRECTORY AIR QUALITY EXPERTS Collin Creek Duct Cleaning......................................17
HEATING AND COOLING Enertia HVAC............................................................... 11
APARTMENTS Fairways at Prestonwood..........................................5
INVESTING Edward Jones............................................................. 19
BUTCHERS B&B Butchers & Restaurant.... Front Inside Cover, Back Cover
LAUNDRY SERVICES Comet Cleaners......................................................... 29
CAR DEALER Park Place Mercedes-Benz...................................... 13 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Hudson Peters..............................................................3 COMMERCIAL TAXES Quatro Tax, LLC.....................................................14-15 CUSTOM CABINETS Bailey Cabinets.............................................................5 DRY CLEANING Comet Cleaners......................................................... 29 DUCT CLEANING Collin Creek Duct Cleaning......................................17 FAMILY LAW KoonsFuller....................................Back Inside Cover FINANCIAL LIFE PLANNING Legacy Consulting Group..........................................9
LIFE ASSURANCE AFLAC...........................................................................27 LUXURY CARS Park Place Mercedes-Benz...................................... 13 MORTGAGES Highlands Residential Mortgage.......................... 29 NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION American Red Cross................................................. 31 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Hudson Peters..............................................................3 RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE Highlands Residential Mortgage.......................... 29 ROOFING Acme Roof Systems..................................................25
FINANCIAL PLANNING Opes One Advisors.....................................................7
RESTAURANT B&B Butchers & Restaurant.... Front Inside Cover, Back Cover
GOLF LIVING Fairways at Prestonwood..........................................5
TAXES Quatro Tax, LLC.....................................................14-15
GREENHOUSES Texas Greenhouse Company, Inc...........................17
TRAVEL SPECIALIST Joshua Expeditions................................................... 21
HAIR CARE Monat Hair Care..........................................................17
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LEGAL SERVICES Naman Howell Smith & Lee....................................23