Up! Up! And Away!

A Personal Note from Mary Grace Musuneggi

On a recent pre-Christmas vacation to the Arizona Biltmore, I had the opportunity to enjoy a ride in a private plane to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, to go hot-air ballooning over the desert, and to cheer on my daughter-in-law while she hiked up Camelback Mountain. Then as I returned to the hotel, I was greeted with its Christmas decorations that were surrounded by blooming flowers. Each one of these experiences gave me a totally different perspective on the area. I was still in Arizona, but I saw snow-capped mountains, gleaming canyon rocks, desert sand and cactus, and colorful spring-like foliage. Some up close, some from far away, some while floating in the sky…and each view was a picture of awesomeness.

On my flight back home, I couldn’t help but think that the next day, I would return to my normal routine. Not a lot of difference each day. Awake. Go to Work. Go Home. Sleep. Awake. Go to Work. Go Home. Sleep. A little more like walking on a treadmill than soaring above the clouds. Even though I love my work and I love my home, the perspective each day is much the same. I also hear this theme echoing from many of my friends, family members, clients, and associates.

Now this is not to say that routine is not a good thing. For some of us it is the system for a well-organized and rewarding way of life. But what if each day we just added a few moments where we would see life from a different perspective? What if we went to work a different route; started the day with an inspirational reading; went to the gym before work instead of after? Or even more adventurous…set time to go zip- lining, segwaying, snowboarding?

I read a story recently about a couple who decided to take a “honeymoon” every month for a year. Some were costly, but some were not. If you have never really explored Pittsburgh, there are so many things to do that cost nothing. View the city from the top of Mt. Washington. Walk along the river. Ride your bike on a one of the city trails. Take your dog to a dog park. Sit by the Point State Park fountain. Walk around PNC Park on the North Side.

Change your perspective! Seize the day! Make 2015 all that you want it to be!

Founder and Executive Director

January 2015

Upcoming Single Steps Strategies Events:

Tuesday, January 27 and Thursday, January 29:

Empowering Today’s Woman: A Guide to Enhancing Social Security Benefits

The Musuneggi Financial Group

For more information log onto https://www.singlestepsstrategies.com/calendar/

The Autumn of the Year…Turning over a New Leaf

A Personal Note from Mary Grace Musuneggi

Lose Weight

Stop Smoking

Organize Papers

Start a Business

Create a Financial Plan

New Year’s resolutions by nature are made on New Year’s Day, the end of the holiday season. We make these major life changing decisions when we are worn out in body and spirit; when we lack energy, conviction, time and money. We resolve to do so much at a time when we have no real urge to do anything but rest.

Fall is a much better time to make those resolutions and map out a strategy to bring them into reality. Like any course, we need to begin with where we are. Take the time to review your current life situation. How is your health? Are you happy with the way you look? How are you emotionally? Are you stressed? Are you spending enough time with your family? Have you put your education on hold? Are you happy in your current career? What does your financial picture look like? What are you assets and liabilities? Is your romantic relationship all you want it to be?

Once you know where you are, then you can decide where you want to go and how to get there. And a good roadmap is always in writing. So write out the goals and what you need to do to reach those goals. Revisit your written goals often. Strategies become goals and realities when they are written, reviewed and worked on.

And sometimes, we need help to bring our strategies to realities. Ask for help. Seek out knowledge from those who know the things you do not know. Get professional advice. Follow the path of those who have accomplished what you want to do.

By beginning to create your new year now, you will have three additional months to think and dream and develop your goals. Resolutions made in the autumn of the year have much more opportunity for successthan those made in the hustle and bustle of the New Year’s holiday. 

Mary Grace Musuneggi

Founder and Executive Director

October 2014

Upcoming Single Steps Strategies Events:

Thursday, December 4 – How to Feel Like a Million Bucks…Through the Holidays

Susan Cekosky, Positively FitU

Thursday, December 11 – Toys for Tots Holiday Donation Party

The Musuneggi Financial Group 

For more information log onto https://www.singlestepsstrategies.com/calendar/

Having the Talk

A Personal Note from Mary Grace Musuneggi

Can you remember back to your early teens, or even pre-teens when you became curious about the opposite sex? And it was time for your parents and you to have “The Talk?” For some of us that conversation was something we wanted to have; but dreaded as much as our parents did. For some, that talk never came; because some were given a book from the Girl Scouts, or were sent off to a class at the local YMCA. Discussions about “growing up” were scary and uncomfortable for most involved.

Then came the time for us to have “The Talk” with our own children. Again, a needed discussion that may have come much sooner than expected; but was for many no less uncomfortable.

Now as we age or as we see our parents age, another kind of “talk” needs to occur. This time “The Talk” is between the child and the parent, where the discussion turns to later life issues. Instead of it being about “growing up,” it is time to talk about “growing old.”

This “talk” can be just as uncomfortable, but certainly as necessary, as it explores personal feelings, finances, living arrangements, final arrangements. But having “the talk” means there are no questions or misconceptions as to what the parent wants and how these desires can be accomplished.

Not having “the talk” can set up a family for having a loss of money, loss of security, loss of control, loss of independence, and loss of family stability.

Join The Musuneggi Financial Group and Single Steps Strategies for upcoming workshops that can provide you with information to be prepared to Have the Talk.

Tuesday, August 26 – The Cost of Aging

Michael Baker – Target Insurance Services of PA

Thursday, September 25 – The Greatest Gift – Pre-Planning

Patrick McGowan, Conroy Funeral Home

Tuesday, October 14 – What is Estate Planning And Why Should You Do It?

Tracy Zihmer, Feldstein, Grinberg, Lang & McKee

Attendees will be eligible to receive a complimentary Long Term Care Analysis and an Estate Planning Review.

Mary Grace Musuneggi

Founder and Executive Director

August 2014