April is National Stress Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the adverse effects of stress.

During this month, the primary goal is to shine a spotlight on the detrimental effects that stress can have on individuals. It serves as an opportunity to educate and inform people about the various negative impacts of stress on physical and mental well-being.

This is the time to encourage individuals to become more mindful of their stress levels and provide resources and support for managing stress effectively. The management of stress is a fundamental element of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about National Stress Awareness Month, visit the National Institutes of Health.

This holiday, celebrated globally, signifies fresh beginnings and the spirit of hope. Festivities include cherished customs like Easter egg hunts, the iconic Easter Bunny, and vibrant spring festivals.

The Easter Bunny brings joy to children, rewarding them for their excellent behavior throughout the year. Alongside these cherished traditions, many welcome the arrival of spring by spending time in their backyards planting flowers, engaging in more outdoor events, and joining in community festivities. What will you be doing to kick off the start of spring?

As Easter approaches on Sunday, March 31, 2024, let us treasure our loved ones, enjoy spring blossoming, and share happiness wherever we go. Your VNFA family wishes you a joyful Easter filled with love and laughter.

In a typical year, tallying up the days from January to December in a calendar would sum up to 365 days. However, about every four years, February extends to 29 days instead of the usual 28. According to NASA, the Earth requires approximately 365.242 days to complete one orbit around the sun. It’s important to note the .242 part, an extra quarter of a day, around six hours each year, but for the sake of simplicity, this fractional day is conventionally rounded down to 365 days.

Those leftover six hours might not seem like a lot, but after four years, they pile up to a whole extra day, 24 hours! This accumulation prompts compensating for the surplus day to ensure chronological accuracy. Neglecting this adjustment could lead to a shift in seasons. Following 2024, February will have 29 days in 2028 and 2032.

To learn more about why leap year, visit NASA- Doing the Math on Why We Have Leap Day.

February marks National Cancer Prevention Month, providing a fantastic chance to enhance awareness and encourage proactive measures for leading happier, healthier lives. Although cancer is still a leading cause of death, it is crucial to concentrate on the actions we can adopt to avert cancer and enhance our general well-being.

Visit AACR for more information on cancer prevention.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday holds the distinction of being the sole federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. Each year, people across the United States seize the opportunity presented by MLK Day of Service to engage in volunteer activities and contribute to the betterment of their communities.

Want to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service, visit Unite, Serve, Transform on MLK Day.

Which are the best Christmas movies to watch this upcoming weekend? These are six of the best movies to watch:

1. 1. The Polar Express

1. 1. A Christmas Carol

1. 1. White Christmas

1. 1. A Boy Called Christmas

1. 1. Jingle All the Way

1. 1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Want to find more Christmas movies to watch? Visit 75 Best Christmas Movies of All Time, Ranked. Happy Holidays from your team at Valley National Financial Advisors.

Interesting Facts about Hanukkah: 

1. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple with a Festival of Lights.
2. Hanukkah can start on any day of the week except for a Tuesday.
3. Menorah Lighting: The menorah is lit with one additional candle each night.
4. The United States is home to the world’s largest menorah.
5. Traditional foods like Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufganiyot (doughnuts) are popular during this time.
6. Gelts are chocolate coins used in games and are part of countless Hanukkah celebrations.
7. Hanukkah is celebrated worldwide with diverse cultural traditions.

To learn more about Hanukkah, visit 30 Amazing Facts About Hanukkah. 

It is a fantastic day to come together and encourage generosity. According to GivingTuesday.org, it is a day that encourages people to do good, an idea that, over the years, has grown into more than just one day. There are so many different ways to show generosity on GivingTuesday. Learn more about GivingTuesday; visit GivingTuesday for more information.

As we approach Veterans Day, we’d like to share some fascinating facts about this important holiday and offer some suggestions for how you can celebrate this memorable holiday.

Interesting Facts:

1. Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was established to commemorate the end of World War I in 1918.
2. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill renaming it Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars.
3. A moment of silence is observed at 11 a.m. on 11/11 to remember veterans.
4. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hosts a National Veterans Day Poster Contest for students, featuring the winning design on Veterans Day materials.

Ways to Celebrate:

1. Visit a State Park or Museum.
2. Attend a Veterans Day Parade.
3. Join the nation in observing a moment of silence.
4. Consider volunteering your time at a local veterans’ organization.

Remember, the most important thing you can do on Veterans Day is to genuinely thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. It’s a day to honor and show respect to those who have defended our country and its values. For more information on Veterans Day, please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Financial Planning Month is indeed an excellent opportunity to emphasize the importance of financial planning and empower individuals and families to secure their financial futures. Here are some valuable financial planning tips from expert Laurie A. Siebert, CPA, CFP®, AEP®.