The importance of deadlines, and lifelines
Deadlines – we’ve all had them – health, work, school, life. Some of us create them for other people, and some people refuse to acknowledge them.
I played pickleball with a friend last week and I noticed he was breathing heavily and seemed a little out of sorts. After not feeling well the following two days, he was admitted to the hospital in Dothan for observation. The doctor made a 3 p.m. Monday deadline for an exploratory catheterization procedure. My friend successfully underwent an angioplasty and the installation of a stent to relieve a 90% blockage. A deadline became a lifeline.
April 15th is a major deadline for income-earning Americans as it is the due date to give an accounting for our income, allowed deductions, and estimate of tax owed. We all die a little when we pay our tax bills, but the revenue does provide life to our governmental operations.
I recently met a man who was out for a slow and deliberate walk in Port St Joe. He was recovering from paralysis related to spinal stenosis, surgery, and severe pain – unable to work, zero income, and fighting boredom during recovery. I also discovered he loved to play guitar but did not have one. This man needed some love and hope – a lifeline!
A post was made on a local Facebook group asking if anyone could help get a guitar for this man so that he could have a constructive way to pass the time while recovering his mobility and dexterity. Several people responded that they were willing to help. One generous person donated a guitar to the man. The man was thankful for the lifeline – something to help him get from where he is today to where he hopes to be tomorrow – healthy, pain-free, productive, and musical! Way to go, Port St Joe!
Deadlines and lifelines, both are important. Be sure your estate is in order. Life is short. Change is inevitable and oftentimes unpredictable. Something in a legal document is generally better than nothing. Will, living will, health care surrogate, durable power of attorney, physician’s directive – these are all necessary documents for most people. Make sure your beneficiaries on investment, bank and retirement accounts are accurate. Stay organized throughout the year so that the tax filing deadline is a non-event. Be generous and appreciative. Ask for help if you are overwhelmed, uncertain, not thinking as clearly as you used to, doing without, or a little wobbly on the pickleball court. Deadlines can bring about lifelines!
Gulf County resident Walter L. Woodrick is a Certified Financial Planner practitioner, and the author of two books. His website is WoodrickFinancial.com. Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. Individual tax or legal matters should be discussed with your tax or legal professional. 554319-1
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.