The Kickoff: Holidays 2021

Let the season begin! That old excitement is back in the air. What can we expect? A white Christmas in many parts of the country. People on the move. Crowded airports and train stations. Busy restaurants. Americans happily spending money again.

Forget the “need-to-haves”. Americans are ready for the “I deserve-to-haves”

Salesforce is predicting demand for products in the adventure industry–luggage, sporting goods, and vacation-wear purchases will increase as Americans get back to planning trips again. After a year of living virtually, we’re looking forward to in-person celebrations. A year of schlumping around in sweats has led to our wanting to buy clothes again. Party clothes, glitter and glamorous accessories. Consumers with money in their pockets will be looking to upgrade their wardrobes with investment pieces like jewelry and watches that they can show off.

And the family thing? For many, it never gets any easier

This year the conflict transcends the usual criticism over children’s life choices. Polarized politics and Covid have created mine fields for many families. Some people are not inviting unvaccinated family members to Thanksgiving; others are scoffing at relatives who insist on masks.

“Now it’s no longer whether you just disagree about the long-term effects of climate change,” said Jill Suitor, a sociologist at Purdue University, where she leads a project investigating family conflict in 550 multigenerational families, “but whether you believe that having certain family members present poses a serious danger to other family members.”

But those classic fights about politics or where to spend Christmas are really about something much deeper, especially in 2021. Psychologists caution us that we’ve been through a lot. There’s a yearning for love, connection and, above all, belonging. There’s a theme of “We hope that our parents will understand this year. Maybe this time, my in-laws will accept me.”

But after a year apart, we’re further apart

Feelings will be hurt this year and efforts to express love may be clumsy, awkward or marred by pride and stubbornness. Though the pandemic has increased tensions within families, it has also created an opening. Now more than ever, people are recognizing the importance of being together, understanding how precious and fleeting life can be. There will be a lot of empty places at holiday tables, and we’ve experienced painful losses. Being grateful for our blessings may inspire us to lead with love and tolerance this holiday season.

 

One thoughtful action item for your family this holiday: Create or update your Living Trust.

As you prepare your home for winter and get caught up on vaccines that will help you and your family stay healthy through the coming months, this is also a great time to create or update your Living Trust. With families gathered for the holidays, it’s also the perfect time to encourage aging family members to create their Living Trusts.

We’re proud of our comprehensive Living Trust package that includes a Power of Attorney and Advanced Healthcare Directive. Best of all, we guide you through it and we prepare the legal documents. Schedule an appointment with Guideway today.

Guideway services the entire Bay Area

Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.

Divorce in the New Year? Inspiring Stories of Coming Back Stronger

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers tells us that the number of Divorce filings are one third higher than normal in the month of January. Not hard to figure out why. Too many people make silent promises that they’ll never spend another year—and most of all—another holiday, with their current spouses.

It takes hard-hearted parents to leave during the holidays, so they don’t

They wait until January, “Divorce Month”. But it’s still November, and while we’re just ratcheting up to the holidays—many people are absolutely miserable, secretly planning their escapes. While Divorce will be emotional and disruptive, take inspiration from a few New York Times readers who moved on from their divorces—stronger, happier and more capable!

• Twelve years after a difficult divorce, I look back with pride at the life I’ve built. I went back to graduate school, built a career and kept the house and maintained it beautifully. Took trips around the world with my girls and taught them how to be strong independent women.
• I relish each small successful repair, every picture hung perfectly, done by me with no screaming or worsened damage. I never felt as good sitting in a psychiatrist’s office as I do now when I’ve selected just the right drill bit to mount that anchor.
• Six years ago, I left a 30-year marriage and was terrified I would not know how to handle things — an apartment, finances, car repairs, caps on jars. All this fear, despite holding a demanding job. I learned how to use tools and fix things, and it was so satisfying. Now I know I can handle anything on my own.
• One very capable woman tells her story. Last fall, when local infections were sky high, the firewood still needed to be cut and split and family couldn’t come help me — so out I went. I felled over a dozen trees, cut everything into pieces, got it all back to my house, and split all the logs into firewood.
• A single dad weighs in. After the divorce I stayed in the marital home, took on shared custody and relished the opportunity to prove to both myself and my girls (and my son) that I could manage both a taxing job and being a good dad as well as a passable “mom”. It was a hectic period with very long days and short nights, but boy, was it worth it!

Guideway’s Divorce and Mediation Services

Guideway has been assisting Bay Area couples with their Divorces for nearly 20 years. If you and your spouse can reach agreement on division of assets and liabilities and a parenting plan, you don’t need an attorney, and we can save you a significant amount of money.

Divorce can seem overwhelming, but it’s a very methodical process

If you can figure out division of assets, you don’t need a lawyer, and we can save you a lot of money. Most of our clients may not have worked out the details, but they know they are willing to reach agreement—and that’s the critical component of an amicable Divorce.

Best of all, we guide you through it and we prepare the legal documents. Schedule an appointment with Guideway today.

We service the entire East Bay and North Bay areas

Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.

Thanksgiving 2021: The Year We Get Even

Who remembers last year’s Thanksgiving? Too afraid of Covid to travel, we became a nation of solitary diners hunkering down to a box of takeout, perhaps salvaging our meal with a good bottle of wine. My brother in Florida never got out of his pajamas. He watched the Macy’s parade and nonstop football; dinner was scrambled eggs and toast. I was lucky–my neighbor loves to cook and treated us to shrimp etouffee. More than any other holiday, Thanksgiving is the time for sharing traditions with those we love. For many of us, the 2020 holidays created traditions we’d just as soon forget.

This year Americans are on the move

This year promises to be the year we get even. With our vaccinations, booster shots and money in our pockets, Americans clearly are ready to get out of town. Trips within the U.S. are the most popular holiday destination this year. Many are making up for having missed their families last year. Others are heading to the beach. Think Mexico, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, the Turks, Caicos and Aruba.

Travel insurance is a good way to add a financial safeguard to a trip

While vaccines are readily available, Covid remains a concern for travelers. Travel insurance that includes coverage for Covid-related problems is the No. 1 search by consumers before buying a policy, according to Squaremouth’s data.

The best pandemic travel insurance includes valuable Covid-related coverage for trip cancellation, medical emergencies and medical evacuation. There are plans that offer primary medical coverage, meaning you won’t have to use your own health plan first. If you are traveling overseas, Covid medical coverage is available—it’s likely not included in your existing coverage.

Another useful coverage is “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. This coverage gives you the flexibility to cancel your trip no matter the reason. You get reimbursed 50% or 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs under a “cancel for any reason” claim.

A hard travel lesson to learn

Many people are not aware of this regulation. Your passport has to be good for at least three months from your departure date. If it isn’t, you will not get your boarding pass. One of my friends learned this bitter lesson the hard way. He and his partner were boarding a plane for a three-week trip to Spain and Portugal in Dec. His passport expired in February. They had everything booked—Airbnbs, car, etc. They lost everything. Check the expiration date on your passport.

Traveling offshore for the holidays

If you’re looking to venture beyond the U.S. this holiday season, make sure you check the destination country’s entry requirements well before you depart for your trip. If you don’t meet the requirements, you won’t be allowed in. They sneak in little forms that need to be completed before you leave or land. If you’re flying through London Heathrow Airport, there’s a London Locator form that has to be completed online or you can’t get on the plane. Be careful and research these requirements.

I’ve traveled internationally several times in the last six months

It takes planning and stamina. Every foreign country requires a PCR test. You will need to get the (negative) results back before you leave. The results must be good for 72 hours. I flew into Bucharest, Romania. My PCR test had to stretch across a few time zones and days. Think ahead.

Covid travel also can be stressful and expensive. In a trip home from Mexico City, they didn’t like the PCR test results that I got at the Red Cross in St. Miguel de Allende. They made me get another one at the airport in Mexico City, resulting in my missing my flight. I had to purchase another ticket for $750 that routed me through Guadalajara for three hours, putting me into SFO at 10pm. All this for what should have been an easy four-hour flight home.

RELATED CONTENT: Itching to Get Away? Travel in the Time of COVID

Create a Living Trust before you leave

Regardless of where you’re traveling this holiday season, we encourage everyone to create or update your Living Trust before you leave. When creating your Living Trust with Guideway, you’ll work with a dedicated specialist who is available for questions and support throughout the process. We’ve been in business since 2003 and have expanded to three Bay Area offices–Dublin, Oakland and Walnut Creek. More than 60% of our business comes from referrals and repeat business.

Our comprehensive Living Trust package includes a Power of Attorney and Advanced Healthcare Directive. We provide a hard copy as well as a soft copy of your documents. More questions? Contact us today.

Guideway services the entire Bay Area

Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.

RELATED CONTENT:

5 Steps to Funding Your Trust

Your Living Trust: Avoiding the Pitfalls

Is It Time to Check Your Beneficiary Designations?

Winter Vaccine Season; Is a “Twofer” Right for You?

November is the month we get serious about prepping for winter–and that includes our annual flu shots. And for those with underlying medical conditions, those who live and/or work in high-risk environments, and those over 65, it’s also time to get a Covid booster shot.

For those who qualify, make it a “twofer”

The logical question follows: Is it okay to get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time? Health experts say yes, and many doctors encourage Americans to get both at once—a shot in each arm.

According to Ranit Mishori, MD, a professor of family medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine. “Get one in each arm. It’s an efficient and effective way to make sure you’re protected.” Mishori notes that the same goes for those who are immunocompromised and might want to time their third dose to their flu shot.

As lousy as last year was, we didn’t have a flu season

Our obsessive masking, handwashing and cocooning last year meant that the flu season was nonexistent. This season’s outlook is not so optimistic. Experts are predicting a big flu surge for all the usual reasons—kids are back in school, people are traveling, airports are crowded—these are the perfect breeding grounds for infection. The lack of mask mandates in many parts of the country are also contributing to the likelihood of widespread infection.

It’s especially important for older adults—those over 65–to get both shots this year. Fueled by the surging Delta variant, Covid cases are on the rise as the flu season is kicking off.

Why the CDC updated its vaccine guidance

The agency changed its guidance in May after data showed that the Covid vaccine was safe and that other vaccines would not interfere with the immune response, experts say. “We wanted to really assess the side effects of the Covid vaccine as we rolled it out. We didn’t want to get that confused by giving other vaccines at the same time,” says William Schaffner, MD, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

According to the CDC, Covid and other vaccines can be administered “without regard to timing. This includes simultaneous administration of the Covid and other vaccines on the same day, as well as co-administration within 14 days.”

What about side effects?

It’s unclear whether getting the Covid vaccine at the same time as another shot will exacerbate your side effects. But experts say it’s possible. “You may feel worse,” Mishori says. “If you’re one of these people who often has side effects to medication or vaccinations in particular, symptoms may increase if you co-administer two different vaccines. If you plan to get “double-jabbed”, don’t make any big plans for a few days after your appointment. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help you feel better. Side effects are temporary and a sign the vaccines are working.

It’s also okay to space out your vaccinations

If you are concerned about side effects from two shots at once, clinicians say it’s perfectly fine to space out your Covid booster and other vaccines. Experts caution that delay increases the risk that you will get sick before you’re protected. The overriding message: Catching Covid will be far worse than any potential risk in increased side effects. The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone 6 months and older.

Those over 65 should request the high-dose flu shot

According to the CDC, those age 65 or older should request either the high-dose flu shot or the adjuvanted flu vaccine. Both produce a stronger immune response and more protection for older adults. After you get the flu vaccine, it will take 10 to 14 days before you’re fully protected. This year’s flu vaccine protects against two new influenza strains in addition to last year’s, and it takes time for your body to make new antibodies.

In contrast, it will take only two to three days for the Covid booster to kick up your immunity, experts say, because your body is already primed from your vaccines earlier this year.

What about sneaking in a shingles or pneumonia vaccine?

The CDC doesn’t place limits on the number of vaccinations you can get at the same time as a Covid vaccination. If you haven’t received a pneumonia and or shingles vaccinations, this is a good time to schedule these shots as well. Ask anyone who’s had shingles, and they’ll tell you that it’s extremely painful.

Creating/updating your Living Trust

As you prepare your home for winter and get caught up on vaccines that will help you and your family stay healthy through the coming months, this is also a great time to create or update your Living Trust. With families gathered for the holidays, it’s also the perfect time to encourage aging family members to create their Living Trusts.

RELATED CONTENT:

The Holidays: A Great Time to Get Together with Family and Talk About . . . Living Trusts?

When creating your Living Trust with Guideway, you’ll work with a dedicated specialist who is available for questions and support throughout the process. We’ve been in business since 2003 and have expanded to three Bay Area offices–Dublin, Oakland and Walnut Creek. More than 60% of our business comes from referrals and repeat business.

We’re proud of our comprehensive Living Trust package that includes a Power of Attorney and Advanced Healthcare Directive. We provide a hard copy as well as a soft copy of your documents. More questions? Contact us today.

Guideway services the entire Bay Area

Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.

RELATED CONTENT:

5 Steps to Funding Your Trust

Your Living Trust: Avoiding the Pitfalls

Is It Time to Check Your Beneficiary Designations?