HELLO FALL!
Have you seen the beautiful trees? The colors are so vibrant! It is such a beautiful time of the year. I saw somewhere that just like the leaves on a tree, fall reminds us to let things go. With shorter days and cooler nights, fall is a great time to try those new soup recipes, or curl up with a good book, and that pumpkin spice “whatever you like.”  Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Do something for YOU! Get out and take a walk and soak in the beautiful scenery! The dreaded “W” word is on the horizon.
Please take some pics of your munchkins in their Halloween costumes so we can highlight them in an upcoming newsletter. Our next issue will be out around Christmas. We can’t wait to hear about your family traditions.Â
As always, if there is anything you want to see in any of our upcoming issues, please reach out to Lindsay or I. Get out and slay the day… YOU are worth it!
Cindy Frantz
Recruitment/Community Relations
Improving your
Financial Wellbeing
Your financial well-being, or overall financial situation, can be a huge root to most of the stress in your life. But it doesn’t have to be scary. Your financial well-being is determined by factors that tell a larger story about your relationship to money. This includes how well you’re able to stay on top of your financial obligations, how secure you feel about your financial future, and ultimately whether you have the freedom to make financial choices that allow you to enjoy your life.
We’ve put together some tips for getting a handle on your money and improving your overall financial well-being.
Understand Where Your Money Goes
Start by tracking your sources of income, and then learn where your money is going. To get a handle on your money, you need a system that will allow you to track your daily spending on an ongoing basis. Find and stick to a system that works best for you.Â
Helpful Tip: Write your bill due dates on a calendar.
Small Changes can make a Difference
Create a working budget that matches your cash flow. Using an excel spreadsheet, track your incoming money and outgoing flow. This helps you stay on top of bill due dates as well! By looking at your spending in real time and comparing it to the previous month, you’ll start to see places where you can make adjustments and move money into your savings.Â
Click HERE for a Starting Budget Spreadsheet!Â
Save for Emergencies
Start by putting aside what you can afford in order to help cover many common emergencies, such as a car repair or medical bills, that could otherwise become costly debt. Set guidelines for yourself for when you can spend this savings fund and what constitutes as an emergency, but if you need it, don’t be afraid to use it.
Helpful Tip: Use your tax return to help you reach your financial goals.Â
Reduce Your Debt
Before making a plan to pay down your debts, know what you owe. Choose a debt reduction strategy that works for you – whether it be the highest interest-rate method or paying off the smallest of your loans as quickly as possible. Learn about repayment options and learn how to negotiate when you are in the market for a new car.Â
Create Better Money Habits
Improving how you manage your money on a daily basis may take time and dedication, but as you develop better money habits, you’ll create a financial story that you’re proud of. Apply only for credit you need, set up alerts to stay on top of your account balances, make your savings consistent and plan for success! Â
Lifestyle Changes to Increase your Energy
Everyone is familiar with all-out energy drain — that exhausted day (or night) when no matter how enticing that new movie, fabulous shoe sale, or friendly barbecue, we just can’t psych ourselves up to go.
What can be harder to recognize is a low-grade energy drain. In this case, you may not necessarily feel the classic signs of exhaustion — like achy muscles or that all-over tired feeling. What you do experience is an increasing lack of get-up-and-go for many of the activities you used to love.
If this is starting to sound familiar, take heart. Energy zappers are all around us, some obvious, some hidden. The good news: There is a way around almost all of them.
Lighten your Load
One of the main reasons for fatigue is being overworked. Overworking yourself can include professional, family, and social obligations. Try to streamline your list of “must-do” activities. Set your priorities in terms of the most important tasks. Pare down those that are less important. Consider asking for extra help at work, if necessary.
Avoid Smoking
You know smoking threatens your health. But you may not know that smoking actually siphons off your energy by causing insomnia. The nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant, so it speeds the heart rate, raises blood pressure, and stimulates brain-wave activity associated with wakefulness, making it harder to fall asleep.
Exercise
Exercise almost guarantees that you’ll sleep more soundly. It also gives your cells more energy to burn and circulates oxygen. And exercising can lead to higher brain dopamine levels, which helps elevate mood.
Eat for Energy
Eating foods with a low glycemic index — whose sugars are absorbed slowly — may help you avoid the lag in energy that typically occurs after eating quickly absorbed sugars or refined starches. Foods with a low glycemic index include whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils such as olive oil.
Drink Water
What’s the only nutrient that has been shown to enhance performance for all but the most demanding endurance activities? It’s not some pricey sports drink. It’s water. If your body is short of fluids, one of the first signs is a feeling of fatigue.
Use Caffeine to your Advantage
Caffeine does help increase alertness, so having a cup of coffee can help sharpen your mind. But to get the energizing effects of caffeine, you have to use it judiciously. It can cause insomnia, especially when consumed in large amounts or after 2 p.m.
We asked Nikki Taylor, our office manager about her favorite fall activities and to share some tips on how to save money for the holidays!Â
What are some of your favorite fall activities?
My favorite fall activity is definitely watching the Buckeyes on Saturday, and Sunday, rooting on the Cowboys. I also love being outdoors this time of year, the hiking trails at Charleston Falls are gorgeous!!
What is a hobby that brings you joy?
Do you have any tips or tricks to help save money for Christmas?
Welcome New McBaby!Â
Congratulations to Jason Tumbusch and wife Brandy for welcoming a new baby on August 22nd!!
Coming in at 7lbs 15oz and 20 3/4″ long, Reese had some issues with fluids in her lungs and had to be put on oxygen for a few days. She has since been weened off the breathing tube and IV and is now doing fantastic!Â
Baby Reese was welcomed home by her older brothers, Ethan, Hunter & Oliver, and big sisters Sydni & Emmi!
Jason is the General Manager at our Sidney location. He’s been with Scott Family McDonald’s for over 22 years!
Congratulations to the Tumbusch family on your new, adorable addition!
Open Enrollment for 401k
If you wish to change your participation levels or sign up for your 401k, please contact Rob immediately! The deadline to do this is November 1st.
If anyone has any questions, Empower offers a Participant Services Call Center at 800-338-4015. Registered representatives are available to address any questions or concerns Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Mountain Time and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mountain Time.
Personal Development
CROCKPOT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Ingredients
1 – 1 1/2Â boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat. Â Â
1 med to large yellow onion, diced
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into circles
2 stalks celery, sliced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp dried rosemary leaves
 1/2 tsp kosher salt
 1/4 tsp black pepper
 1 bay leaf (optional)
 2 tsp better than bouillon base, chicken flavor
 8 – 9 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
 8 oz. egg noodles (wide or extra wide)
 fresh parsley, minced (for garnish)
 salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
-
- To the bottom of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker, add trimmed chicken breasts. Top with onion, carrots, celery, garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt and pepper, and bay leaf (if using).
- Dollop better than bouillon chicken base over the top, then pour in chicken broth. Gently stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker to a large mixing bowl. Shred chicken. Discard bay leaf (if using), and return shredded chicken back to slow cooker.
- Add egg noodles, stir, then cover and cook on LOW for 10-15 minutes, until pasta is tender. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve garnished with minced fresh parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper.
CROCKPOT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Ingredients
1 – 1 1/2Â boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat. Â Â
1 med to large yellow onion, diced
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into circles
2 stalks celery, sliced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp dried rosemary leaves
 1/2 tsp kosher salt
 1/4 tsp black pepper
 1 bay leaf (optional)
 2 tsp better than bouillon base, chicken flavor
 8 – 9 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
 8 oz. egg noodles (wide or extra wide)
 fresh parsley, minced (for garnish)
 salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
-
- To the bottom of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker, add trimmed chicken breasts. Top with onion, carrots, celery, garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt and pepper, and bay leaf (if using).
- Dollop better than bouillon chicken base over the top, then pour in chicken broth. Gently stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker to a large mixing bowl. Shred chicken. Discard bay leaf (if using), and return shredded chicken back to slow cooker.
- Add egg noodles, stir, then cover and cook on LOW for 10-15 minutes, until pasta is tender. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve garnished with minced fresh parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Dates to Remember
31
OCT
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!Â
1
NOV
401k Deadline
Be sure to sign up or make changes to your 401k before the cutoff today!Â
11
NOV
Veteran’s Day
Be sure to thank the Veteran’s for serving for our country as you are serving them their meals!Â
Are you Ready to Further your Education?
Archways to Opportunities gives you all of the resources you need to begin or continue your college education!Â
Archways To Opportunity
McDonald’s and its independent franchisees are committed to helping employees further their education and achieve their dreams.
To help individuals who work at a company-owned or independently franchised restaurant, we created Archways to Opportunity, a comprehensive education strategy with multiple programs that give people an opportunity to grow and learn – no matter where they are on their journey.
How do I earn my High School Diploma?
You can graduate from high school by taking classes online – whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you – through Career Online High School. And, you may be able to apply credits from high school courses you’ve already completed.
How do I choose an affordable path to college?
If you are ready to get started working toward your college degree, Archways to Opportunity® offers programs to help make your goals a reality – in a way that fits your lifestyle.
Our programs can help you explore educational opportunities while getting financial support to make your educational journey easier.
How do I figure out the right path for me?
Figuring out the next step in your education and career journey may feel like a lot. Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions has Success Coaches who are available to help you identify your education needs, review your career goals and develop a plan for the future. Your coach will continue to support you throughout your experience to ensure that you successfully achieve your goals and complete your program.
How do I improve my English?
We want you to feel confident in all that you do. If you are bilingual, this includes being comfortable talking in English. Whether you are speaking to customers or staff, your voice should be heard. English Under the Arches® can help.
With the support of English Under the Arches, you can improve your English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
How do I earn my degree for free through CTU?
The Commitment Grant, along with maximizing Archways to Opportunity tuition assistance, covers 100% of eligible students’ online tuition, including eBooks and student fees, at CTU helping you to pursue your educational goals without the need for student loans.
Eligible students may utilize the Commitment Grant towards any Associate or Bachelor’s degree program offered at CTU.