Dawson Living July/August 2023

July /August 2023

RELIASTAR CAPITAL

Helping clients achieve financial success

SAVOR SUMMER

Ideas for backyard grilling

WELLNESS

How faith can impact your health

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PUBLISHER

Stephanie Woody

ADVERTISING SALES

David Smithson, Multimedia Sales Representative

CREATIVE SERVICES

Tracie Pike, Director Claudette Keeley, April Seymour, Chelsea Sunshine

PHOTOGRAPHY

Vicki Alsup Photography

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alexis E. Abbott, Sudie Crouch

DAWSON LIVING

A Division of Dawson County News

Dawsonville, GA

A Metro Market Media Inc. property www.dawsonnews.com

Meet the team at Reliastar Capital: Kristine Bennett, Client Relations Director; Cayson Turner, Operations Director; Luke Syfert, Client Service Advisor and Marketing Manager and John C. Bennett, President and Founder.

RELIASTAR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

financial success

From enjoying childhood, to graduating college, to working a successful career, to spending time with your grandchildren, life is the single biggest adventure you can have.

Throughout this adventure, a consistent goal, and sometimes consistent struggle, is obtaining financial security. While there are many paths to try to reach this goal, it’s hard to do it alone. That’s where Reliastar Capital Management comes in.

“The client’s best interest is our most important aspect. We focus on a client’s financial portfolio to make sure they are well prepared for retirement by building financial plans that are easy to follow and provide both surety and security,” said Luke Syfert, client service advisor and marketing manager of Reliastar Capital Management.

Reliastar Capital Management takes a client’s entire financial portfolio – stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. – and helps manage assets in a way that will allow the customer to reach personal financial goals and spend more time enjoying their biggest adventure, no matter what phase of life they are in.

To get this point across in an easy-to-understand analogy, John C. Bennett, president and founder of Reliastar Capital Management, said, “We love being the client’s quarterbacks. We want to help you get where you want to go.”

For those who might not know, the quarterback is the person who helps to create the plan to drive down the field, has the plan and executes it, and is the player who

Story by Alexis E. Abbott, Photos by Vicki Alsup Photography

ultimately calls the shots on the field to help bolster the success of the entire team.

In this way, the staff at Reliastar Capital Management wants to be your financial quarterback to work with you and help guide you through a financial plan to meet your goals.

Want to learn more?

Feel free to join any of Reliastar’s hosted events in a low pressure, high education environment.

In May and June, Reliastar Capital Management hosted three events to invite the public to learn more about financial management and give some insight on how the company could help

them reach their financial goals.

These events included a 5-6-7 Tax Retirement Educational Event, hosted at Hampton Library, which went over the subject of tax planning for retirement, a dinner hosted at Montaluce Winery & Restaurant in Dahlonega, and a movie event at Regal Cinemas in Dawson County where they showed “The Baby Boomer Dilemma” in order to give people an opportunity to learn more about specific investment choices and how Reliastar Capital Management can help.

For more information, visit reliastarcapital.com. Keep an eye out for educational events to learn more.

- Sponsored content

Cayson Turner, Operations Director

John C. Bennett, President and Founder

Luke Syfert, Client Service Advisor and Marketing Manager

Kristine Bennett, Client Relations Director

Five Reasons Why the IRS Will Audit You

Each year, the IRS audits over 1 million tax returns. With agency resources shrinking, the IRS is more selective when choosing which tax returns to audit. Knowing what the IRS is looking for can help you understand and reduce your audit risk. Here are five of the biggest reasons the IRS may choose to audit your return:

1. Your income is high or low. The reasoning is simple – higher earnings may lead to bigger errors and lower earnings may mean incorrect deductions. The adjusted gross income (AGI) range with the least audit risk is $25,000 to $200,000. As your income moves toward the extremes in either direction, the chance of an audit increases.

2. You fail to report all your income. The IRS Automated Underreporter Program

matches W-2 and 1099 information with the information you report on your tax return. When a mismatch occurs, expect to receive an automated CP2000 notice from the IRS notifying you of the discrepancy and the additional tax amount due.

3. You own a business. Rules regarding business deductions are confusing and constantly changing. The IRS knows this. Incorrectly deducting personal expenses or having your business classified as a hobby, thereby eliminating deductions, can get you in trouble with the IRS. Cash heavy businesses are under increased scrutiny due to higher fraud rates. Solid tracking processes and good records are necessary for income and expense substantiation.

4. You make a math error. The IRS identified over 2.5 million math errors on recent tax returns. The biggest culprits were tax liability and credit calculations. Math errors can create a two-fold problem for you – additional tax owed and more scrutiny applied to other parts of your tax return.

5. You claim the earned income tax credit. According to a report by the U.S. Treasury Department, 21 to 26 percent EITC payments are paid in error. Numbers that large are sure to get the IRS’s attention. Eligibility confusion and calculation errors are mostly to blame. While some of the risk factors are out of your control, many can be minimized. If you are chosen for an audit, don’t deal with the IRS alone – please call for help.

Fourth of July BURGERS ON THE GRILL

The Fourth of July may not be governed by official rules mandating celebrants attend a backyard barbecue before being awed by a nighttime fireworks display, but each of those things features prominently in many Independence Day celebrations. Fireworks are best left to the professionals, but anyone can master the art of grilling delicious burgers and hot dogs.

VENISON BURGERS

SERVES

8

2 pounds venison meat

1/2 pound pork shoulder

1/2 pound slab bacon

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons hot sauce

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

Bacon

Cheddar cheese

Guacamole

Clean the venison well and remove any fat or connective tissue. Cut the venison, pork shoulder and bacon into large chunks. Combine all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and let marinate for 1 hour in the refrigerator. Grind everything together using the small plate on your grinder. Form into burger patties by hand, and grill or pan-sear. Cook to medium (135 F internal temperature), then remove from the grill and top with your favorite cheese or burger toppings.

Traditional burgers are made with ground beef. However, curious grillmasters can explore the many ways to experiment with burgers without sacrificing flavor. This recipe for ‘Venison Burgers’ from ‘Texas Favorites’ (Gibbs Smith) by Jon Bonnell utilizes venison and pork in lieu of beef. The result is a mouthwatering burger worthy of inclusion in any Fourth of July festivities.

As a board-certified health coach, taking a holistic approach to a client’s wellness can mean exploring all dimensions of their health. It’s not always just about what they eat and how much they move. Oftentimes, an important and overlooked factor to someone’s health can be found in their faith.

According to an unpublished study by the Mayo Clinic, “94 percent of patients regard their spiritual health and their

physical health as equally important; want their spiritual needs met; and would welcome an inquiry regarding their religious and spiritual needs.”

Another survey of family physicians found that 96 percent believe spiritual

by Sudie Crouch Health & Wellness columnist

How does faith impact our health?

well-being is an important factor in health, yet this aspect of a patient’s overall well-being is seldom if ever approached.

Why faith can be important in health:

A 2001 Mayo Clinic study showed “that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety, depression, and suicide.” Being diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness can test one’s faith but it can also help the individual hold onto the hope they will get well. While our faith may not necessarily cure us, it definitely can provide some much needed support and an anchor during any health crises.

When people have a strong connection to a spiritual practice, it helps them feel connected to something a bit higher than themselves. During the height of COVID, Harold Koenig released an article that explored the scientific connection between how religion and well-being were connected, indicating that our spirituality plays a role in not only helping us get through those difficult diagnoses but may also influence the prevention and promote overall wellness.

A spiritual practice may not necessarily be a religious one in order to be effective. Many people have reported experiencing increased overall well-being from various practices that may not be linked to an organized or specific religion. Feeling connected to a Higher Power and following those tenets seem to be what’s key.

Some of the positive ways that having a spiritual practice can influence our well-being include:

 Can reduce anxiety, which can in turn reduce cortisol levels and blood pressure, two factors heavily related to illness.

 Helps with the ‘visioning’ process of health, allowing the individual to have faith that they will be well. When we see ourselves as healthy, we subconsciously take steps towards actualizing that goal.

 Promotes the tenets of gratitude and forgiveness which can help individuals experience more positive feelings and emotions.

 Can help shape a person’s values, behaviors, and experiences, which can result in them taking steps towards overall well-being and healthier choices.

Taking a holistic approach to wellness and overall health should include exploring a person’s spirituality and their beliefs. It can help provide insight and understanding into the whole person, which also allows them to feel open to share more with their practitioners, which can also lead to better person-centered care.

While our faith may not necessarily cure us, it is definitely an under-looked aspect in the holistic approach to treating and is an important dimension of overall wellness.

Sudie Crouch is a health & wellness coach, helping clients create healthy, attainable changes using positive psychology and cognitive behavior approaches.

Keep summer days fun AND BUSY WHEN CAMP ENDS

Many adults have fond memories of attending summer camp when they were children. The American Camp Association reports that each year more than 14 million children and adults take advantage of the camp experience. Summer camp is a place for kids to learn new skills, make new friends, experience being away from home for extended periods of time, and explore new locales.

Summer camp program lengths vary. Some children attend local camps that may last a week or two, while others attend sleep-away camps that last a little longer. Since summer vacation typically lasts between eight to 10 weeks, parents may discover there still is plenty of downtime after summer camp ends. Here are some ways to fill the gap between the end of camp and the start of a new school year.

SCHEDULE A VACATION

What better way to keep the magic of summer going than by rolling summer camp right into a family vacation? Give kids time to enjoy a few days to relax at home, but then buckle up for the next adventure. This can be a trip away from home, or a series of day trips or activities guided by all members of the family.

ORGANIZE A SLEEPOVER EXCHANGE

Parents of school-aged children can coordinate with

one another to fill up a week or more with sleepovers. Each family can take a night or two, and the kids can jump from house to house extending the fun with one another. Sleepovers can occur inside the home or under tents in the yard.

RECREATE FAVORITE CAMP ACTIVITIES AT HOME

Why not take what makes camp entertaining and try it at home? Copy the camp’s itinerary and engage in similar activities, such as canoeing or nature hikes. On nights when the weather cooperates, everyone can gather around a fire pit to roast marshmallows.

ENROLL IN A RECREATIONAL PROGRAM

Some towns offer free or low-fee activities to residents through their parks and recreation departments. If budgeting does not allow for a camp experience, there are likely town-wide activities that can fill the gaps until itÕs time for children to go back to school. Some even may offer after-hours childcare options for parents who have scheduling conflicts with work.

When summer camp ends, parents have different options they can explore to keep children engaged and supervised until a new school year begins.

Accidents can happen unexpectedly, leaving individuals in need of medical care and support. For seniors enrolled in traditional Medicare, and in Advantage Plans understanding the intricacies of Medicare payback becomes crucial when it comes to receiving appropriate medical coverage and the responsibilities of reimbursement to the plan or the government for accident-related expenses.

In this article, we will delve into the process of Medicare payback and how Medicare Advantage plans payback can play a role in accident-related healthcare costs.

Medicare Payback: An Overview

Medicare, the federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older, provides coverage for various medical services, including hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs.

However, if Medicare beneficiaries are involved in an accident caused by a third party, such as a car accident or slip and fall incident, Medicare may cover the medical expenses initially, but they will seek reimbursement for those costs if the beneficiary receives a settlement or judgment from the responsible party.

The Medicare Secondary Payer rules make it mandatory for Medicare and Advantage plans to be the secondary payer in situations where primary insurance coverage exists, such as liability insurance, no-fault insurance, or workers’ compensation. What that means is that although Medicare may upfront the health care costs in the event of an accident, they are entitled under federal law to be paid back from any settlement.

When Medicare makes payments for accident-related

care, it has the right to recover those payments if the beneficiary later receives compensation. This right extends to both the person receiving the treatment, and against the liability carrier for the person who caused the incident.

The Payback Process: Traditional Medicare

Once a Medicare beneficiary receives a settlement or judgment, it is required that Medicare be promptly notified. The reporting is typically done through the Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center, a division of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare will review the case and determine the reimbursement amount.

Medicare will calculate its reimbursement amount based on the total amount of accident-related medical expenses paid by Medicare, minus any attorney’s fees, costs of procuring the settlement, and other limited deductions. The beneficiary or their attorney can request a detailed breakdown of the charges and negotiate the final reimbursement amount.

Medicare Advantage Plans and Accident-Related Coverage: Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are privately offered health plans that provide an alternative to traditional Medicare. These plans are required to cover everything that Original Medicare covers, but often include additional benefits such as vision, dental, and prescription drugs.

When it comes to accidents and Medicare Advantage plans, the coverage and reimbursement process may vary depending on the specific plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have specific rules or requirements regarding accident-related care, such as pre-authorization for

certain treatments or limited coverage for out-of-network providers.

It is crucial for beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans to review plan documents and contact their plan provider to understand the coverage and reimbursement process. This will ensure that they receive the necessary care while minimizing any unexpected out-ofpocket expenses. However, like Medicare, these plans have a right to be reimbursed out of any settlement and can be entitled to two times its damages plus attorney fees if they are not.

Accidents can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries.

Understanding the Medicare payback process and how it relates to accident-related expenses is vital for ensuring proper reimbursement and financial protection.

In case of an accident, promptly reporting the incident to Medicare and seeking professional advice from an attorney experienced in Medicare payback and personal injury cases can help beneficiaries navigate the complexities of the system.

By being proactive and well-informed, Medicare beneficiaries can effectively manage health care costs and receive the support they need to recover.

Steven Leibel is a well-respected personal injury lawyer in Cumming and Dahlonega. He has been recognized as a GA SuperLawyer in Personal Injury; rated 10 by AVVO, and he is considered “preeminent by his peers, as an Martindale AV rated attorney.”

HELPFUL TIPS FOR picking, cutting watermelon

Watermelon is a summertime staple. Each summer, stores and farm stands have an abundance of watermelons on display, and many people feel no picnic or barbecue is complete without watermelon.

Watermelon is a refreshing option on hot days. It’s ideal sliced and served, or can be included in fruit salads, smoothies or even “spiked” cocktails.

The key to a tasty watermelon is knowing how to pick one that is ripe, while serving watermelon comes down to understanding some easy cutting strategies.

 Choose a watermelon that has a firm, symmetrical shape. Avoid melons with bumps, dents or cuts.

 Watermelons should be relatively heavy. They’re 92 percent water, and that juiciness should be reflected in a substantial weight for the melon’s size.

 Watermelon.org advises looking for a creamy yellow spot on the underside of the watermelon. This is called the “ground spot.” It indicates where the melon sat on the ground and ripened in the sun. Once cut from the vine, a watermelon has about three to four weeks to be consumed.

 All parts of the watermelon are edible, including the seeds and rind. The rind can be pickled or cut up to use in stir-fry dishes.

When bringing watermelon to an event, it is a courtesy

to bring it already sliced or cut up. This ensures the host or hostess does not have to tackle what can sometimes be a chore. Here are three techniques to cut a watermelon easily.

CUBES

1. Cut both ends off of the watermelon.

2. Stand the watermelon on one sliced end. Use the knife to slice down and cut off the rind.

3. After removing the rind from all sides of the melon, cut into discs about 1/2-inch in thickness.

4. Then cut those discs into cubes.

SLICES

1. Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise.

2. Take one cut half and place it cut-side down.

3. Cut the watermelon into slices.

4. Repeat for the other cut half.

STRIPS

1. Cut the watermelon as you would with the slices. Rather than leaving it in large slices, turn the watermelon and cut the same size slices in the opposite direction. This creates strips that are easy for kids to grab and maneuver.

2. Repeat with the other half of the watermelon in the same manner.