Photo Fun
Leigh Anne Tuohy, whose life was portrayed by Sandra Bullock in the movie Blind Side, visited Birmingham to support Alabama CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She shared with the audience, “CASA changes lives. It is a difference maker for children like my son,” referring to adopted son Michael Oher. Learn more at www.alabamacasa.org.
Parenting Points
Brought to you by: White Plume Technologies www.whiteplume.com
Proactive parenting can be learned. Over the last few months in Birmingham Christian Family magazine, STEPS Proactive Parenting has outlined:
Protect your kids against addiction! To receive free material showing you how, send an email to [email protected] and ask for the “Prevention Tool Kit.”
The risks facing youth today from drugs and alcohol are affecting millions of families, and few parents have effective training on how to deal with those types of terrible problems.
Don’t wait to take action. A parent feels strong emotions when their son or daughter is struggling with addiction. The fear, hurt, confusion, and guilt can be overwhelming. But it’s important that you do something to help protect your kids. It’s up to you to become proactive, and the well-being of your son or daughter may depend on it.
Get more information. STEPS Proactive Parenting provides tools, training, and coaching for parents to protect their kids from addictions. Visit www.StepsProactiveParenting.com or contact Steve Ward at [email protected].
Support the cause. You can help other parents protect their kids from addiction. Visit www.StepsProactiveParenting.com and choose “DONATE” on the top menu.
-Steve C. Ward
Executive Director, STEPS Ministries
Author of STEPS: A Daily Journey to a Better Life
Music Notes
Choirs from seven area schools performed at the recent 22nd Annual R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Benefit Concert at Birmingham’s More Than Conquerors Faith Church. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Respect Every Single Person Ever Created Today) featured choirs from W.J. Christian K-8 School, Hudson K-8 School, Pinson Valley High School, Ramsay High School, Jackson Olin High School, A.H. Parker High School and G.W. Carver High School along with the Alabama State University Gospel Choir. Proceeds from the musical are being used to provide meals for underserved families as well as support for the participating choirs. Birmingham City and Jefferson County School Resource Officers were also recognized at the event for “working tirelessly to keep our schools safe.” Learn more at www.mtcfc.org. †
Money Matters
presented by: Vision Financial
Required minimum distributions, often referred to as RMDs or minimum required distributions, are amounts that the federal government requires you to withdraw annually from traditional IRA and employed-sponsored retirement plans after you reach age 70 ½.
You can always withdraw more than you are required to from your IRAs and retirement plans. However, if you fail to take at least the RMD for any year (or if you take it too late), you will be subject to a federal penalty. The penalty is a 50% excise tax on the amount by which the RMD exceeds the distributions made to you during the taxable year.
Example: You own one traditional IRA and compute your RMD for year one to be $7,000. You take only $2,000 as a year-one distribution from the IRA by the date required. Since you are required to take at least $7,000 as a distribution but have only taken $2,000, your RMD exceeds the amount of your actual distribution by $5,000 ($7,000 minus $2,000). You are therefore subject to an excise tax of $2,500 (50% of $5,000).
Technical Note: You report and pay the 50% tax on your federal income tax return for the calendar year in which the distribution shortfall occurs. You should complete and attach IRS Form 5329, “Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts.” The tax can be waived if you can demonstrate that your failure to take adequate distributions was due to “reasonable error” and that steps have been taken to correct the insufficient distribution. You must file Form 5329 with your individual income tax return and attach a letter of explanation. The IRS will review the information you provide and decide whether to grant your request for a waiver.
-Hal Holland
Vision Financial Group, Inc.
4505 Pine Tree Circle, Birmingham, 35243
205-970-4909, www.vision-financialgroup.com
Hal B. Holland, Jr., RFC®Investment Advisor Representative of Investment Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor and a division of ProEquities, Inc. Securities offered through ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Broker-Dealer, Member FINRA & SIPC. Vision Financial Group, Inc. is Independent of ProEquities, Inc.
Mission Makers
Nearly 2000 people came to shop and support Just Keep Smiling Foundation at the recent Merry Market 2018. The Foundation will use the event proceeds to assist area families with children in medical crisis. The ministry is already preparing for its next event, “Live with the Characters Dance Party” February 23, 2019 at Gardendale First Baptist North Campus. There will be two “Live with the Characters” shows, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., each followed by a meet and greet, autograph signings and pictures with the stars of the show. Learn more and get tickets ($10) by visiting www.justkeepsmiling.org.
Legal Matters
presented by: Frank S. Buck P.C., Personal Injury
Do You Have Enough Automobile Insurance Coverage to Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones in the Event of a Holiday Car Wreck?
Take Time to Check
You probably have automobile insurance, but do you understand the basics of your policy? The first step in reviewing your automobile insurance policy is to request a copy of the Declaration’s Page from your insurance company which contains details unique to your specific policy. It will list all drivers and automobiles that are insured under your policy as well as the policy number and the period of time that the policy insures you. It also contains the type of insurance coverage purchased, policy limits and deductibles. It is important to meet with your insurance agent to discuss the different types of automobile coverage available to you as well as the cost of each so that you understand your policy.
In Alabama, if you purchase liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory on your policy unless you specifically reject it in writing. You should never reject it. It is essential that in addition to your liability coverage, you also purchase uninsured motorist coverage, which is applicable when the person who caused the car wreck either has no insurance or does not have enough insurance to fully compensate the injured party or parties in the vehicle.
There is a common misconception that this coverage is expensive and unnecessary and therefore, many people chose to reject it. The cost difference of your monthly premium to add this insurance coverage to your policy is not very expensive compared to the benefits of having this coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is the only way you will be compensated if you are injured by a person who failed to keep insurance on their automobile. For example, if you and your family are headed home from church on Christmas Eve and a person who has no automobile insurance runs a red light and hits the family vehicle, causing serious injuries to your entire family, your own uninsured motorist coverage would kick in and compensate your family for your injuries.
A large percentage of Alabamians have no insurance at all so it is very important that you purchase uninsured motorists in case of an accident. Another layer of automobile insurance coverage that is good to purchase and beneficial in the event of personal injuries is medical payment coverage. This coverage applies toward your medical bills when you have been injured in addition to uninsured motorist coverage.
Protect yourself and your family by making sure you have proper insurance. Be sure to check with your insurance agent for insurance rates.
Frank S. Buck, P.C., Attorneys at Law have been offering professional legal services and serving Alabama citizens for over 43 years. We have experienced trial attorneys who have over 100 years of combined trial experience. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (205) 933-7533. Please call us for a free consultation.Visit us at www.franksbuck.com.
Mission Makers
It is quiet, and I am not eavesdropping, but I can hear snatches of conversation coming from down the hall. Daniel Roberson, Brother Bryan Mission’s Intake Administrator, is talking to someone about forgiveness. His voice is deliberate, and kind and he is telling deep spiritual truths that we all need to hear. I feel like I am at an altar and not a desk, in a sanctuary and not in an office.
“You need to look at a conflict and ask what percentage you may be wrong,” Daniel says. “If you’re only 1% wrong then you need to ask forgiveness for that part.”
We know someone who went through a terrible divorce around 35 years ago. She found out her husband had been unfaithful. Deep pain was inflicted, two children suffered, and a family imploded. In an effort to hurt him for how he had hurt her, she kept something that belonged to him, something that he treasured. She kept a stuffed pheasant he had killed when he was a hunter.
The bird sat on top of her television set. As the children divided their time between two parents that they loved dearly, they would occasionally say to her, “Why don’t you give the pheasant back to Dad?” Her response, “No – it’s mine.”
For almost 35 years the answer remained the same. Then one day, about two years ago, both sons were at her home at the same time. One of them asked about the pheasant again. This time she got up from her chair, got the bird, and said, “Take it.” After all these years, with both parties now in their 80’s, she gave up the pheasant.
Forgiveness is like that. We must release the right to get revenge. It doesn’t mean that we weren’t wronged, but it does mean we give up the right to exact payment for that wrong.
Brother Bryan Mission has 75 beds filled with men who can annoy, get angry, and explosions can happen. But they are being taught by faithful, godly staff members to forgive … as Daniel put it, “To let things go.”
I hear applause coming from the cafeteria next door. There is warm food on the tables and the men are growing. And there are godly, faithful men here who work hard to teach them Biblical truths.
Sometimes altars are found where we least expect them.
-Kay Etheredge
Brother Bryan Mission
Birmingham, Ala.
Healthy Living
As the holiday season approaches, many people are excited to see their friends, family members, and loved ones. However, for many seniors and their caregivers, it can become very stressful. Big holiday celebrations can be overwhelming, especially for those suffering from cognitive decline or health problems. For family caregivers, decorating the house, organizing gatherings or finding the perfect gifts for loved ones, all while caring for an older adult, can be daunting.
Here are a few things you can do to minimize the stress for everyone.
These are just a few ideas to consider. For more information on how you can make the holidays less stressful, stop by and see us at Home Care Assistance or call and request a Caregivers Guide to the Holidays.
-Debra Beadles
Owner, Home Care Assistance of Birmingham
5291 Valleydale Rd., Ste. 123, Birmingham, AL 35242
Legal Matters
Presented by: Bradford & Holliman, Estate Planning, www.bradfordholliman.com
Before the holiday season arrives, take time to make sure your estate plan is current. Have answers for these questions when you review your estate plan with an experienced estate planning attorney:
Your answers to these questions may not be addressed in online form documents. Take time to get sound advice from an experienced estate planning attorney before your holidays kick into high gear.
-Melanie Bradford Holliman
Partner, Bradford & Holliman, LLC
Practice focuses on estate planning, elder law and special needs trusts.
2491 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, Ala. 35124
205-663-0281, www.bradfordholliman.com
This article is for educational purposes and is not intended for specific legal advice.
No representation is made that the quality of legal service to be performed is greater than the quality of service performed by other lawyers.
Hassle Free Zone
Here are some clever ideas to help Simplify your Season:
Empty the Bins. While your home is decorated, donate or discard whatever you have not used. Place sentimental items in a special place for keepsakes.
Create Specialized Storage. Install shelving to accommodate items for easy access and safe keeping. Consider hooks for wreaths to hang.
Pack Like with Like. Group items (ex: living room, kids room, outdoor, certain trees) and label bins with a numbering system (Bin 1 of 10). Make a content list and tape under lids to help identify.
Go Shopping. Shop the day after Christmas to stock up and take advantage of the great sales on stuff like wrapping paper, plates, napkins. Pack in bins to store for next year.
Make Your List (and Check It Twice). Create a Christmas binder or phone app that stores information in one place. Divide into categories such as: Traditions, Christmas Cards/Addresses, Gifts – Given & Received, Recipes, Party Ideas, etc. After the holidays are over, review your book.
Evaluate Spending. While it’s fresh, evaluate your spending this year and then establish a budget for next Christmas. Are you going to regret getting the bills in January? Set aside cash each week and eliminate having to use credit cards at all. Start a Christmas savings account at your bank.
Family Meeting. Have a family meeting to discuss how this month made each person feel. What could be better? If it felt too stressful, could something be scratched from the calendar? What were the kids’ favorite memories of the holiday season? Be sure to do more of that next year!
-Kim McBrayer 
Designer | Professional Organizer | Speaker
SPACE CADETS
5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 121
Birmingham, AL 35242, 205-368-2425
Get MORE
Good News!
Join our Free E-newsletter packed with the latest family fun events, great recipes, inspiring stories, and all kinds of resources for you and your family.
