Mountain View News May 30, 2026 
1010 
Mountain View News May 30, 2026 
1010 
5 REASONS TO CALL 
AN SRES® REALTOR 

When it comes to buying, selling, or 
transitioning to a new living situation 
later in life, working with a Seniors Real 
Estate Specialist® (SRES®) can make all 
the difference. SRES Realtors receive 
specialized training to help older adults 
and their families navigate important real 
estate decisions with confidence and peace 
of mind. 

1. Specialized Knowledge of SeniorTransitions 
Seniors often face unique challenges when moving, downsizing, or relocating closer to family. AnSRES Realtor understands these challenges and can provide guidance tailored to the needs of olderadults and their families. 

2. Help Maximizing Home Value
For many seniors, their home is their largest financial asset. An SRES Realtor can help determine thebest pricing strategy, recommend improvements that may increase value, and market the propertyeffectively to attract qualified buyers. 

3. Access to Valuable Resources 
Moving involves much more than real estate. SRES professionals often maintain a network of trustedresources, including estate planning attorneys, senior move managers, financial advisors, homeorganizers, and senior living communities. These connections can make the transition smoother andless stressful. 

4. Compassionate and Clear Communication
An SRES Realtor understands that selling a longtime family home can be an emotional process.
They take the time to listen, communicate clearly, and provide information in a way that is easy tounderstand, helping seniors feel comfortable every step of the way. 

5. Guidance for the Future 
Whether a senior wishes to age in place, downsize to a smaller home, or move into a retirementcommunity, an SRES Realtor can help evaluate options and create a plan that supports long-termgoals and lifestyle needs. 

Choosing an SRES Realtor means choosing a professional who understands the unique needs of 
seniors and is committed to helping them make informed, confident real estate decisions. 

I am your SRES!! 

THEAGENCY 
A Global Marketing and Sales OrganizationSTEVEN GALINDO 
Estates Agentm: 323 717 2262 
TheAgencyRE.comStevenGalindo.com 
Lic# 01002784 

I HAVE A WILL – DO I ALSO NEED A TRUST? 

Dear Savvy Senior.
My wife and I were recently talking 
about updating our will and wondered 
if we should also set up a trust. 

How do we know if we need one? 

--Planning Ahead 


Dear Planning, 

That’s an excellent question. A will is one of the most important tools in estate planning, but many 
people wonder if it’s enough, or if adding a trust makes sense. The answer depends on your finances, 
your family situation, and what you want your plan to accomplish. Here’s a simple way to think 
about it. 

What a will does 

A will spells out who gets your assets after you pass away. It also names an executor to carry out your 
wishes and can designate a guardian for minor children. 

The downside is that a will must go through probate, which is the court process that validates it 
and oversees distribution. Probate can take months and, in many states, becomes part of the public 
record. 

What a trust adds 

A trust works a little differently. A revocable living trust holds your assets during your lifetime and 
directs how they’ll be distributed after your death, without going through probate. Unlike a will, 
it stays private and lets a successor trustee step in immediately if you can’t manage your finances, 
which is useful in cases of illness, injury, or dementia. 

Trusts can also help with complicated family situations, like blended families or children with special 
needs, giving you more control over who gets what and when. 

The biggest challenge is that you have to move your accounts and property into the trust yourself, 
which takes time and care. Most people who create a trust also keep a simple “pour-over will” to 
catch anything that wasn’t transferred. 

Because trusts are more complex, they usually cost more than a will. Attorneys typically charge 
$1,000 to $3,000 for a trust versus $300 to $1,200 for a will, although costs vary depending on the 
estate and location. You can use do-it-yourself options like Quicken WillMaker & Trust, Trust & 
Will or LegalZoom to save money, but they’re generally best for simple situations. If your finances 
or family circumstances are more complicated, hiring an attorney is usually worth the cost. 

When a trust makes sense 

You might benefit from a trust if you own real estate – especially in more than one state – want to 
avoid the costs and delays of probate or prefer to keep your estate matters private. It’s also helpful if 
you have a larger estate, a blended family, or want to ensure someone can manage your finances if 
you become incapacitated. 

When a will may be enough 

If your estate is relatively small, your family situation is simple, and most of your assets already have 
named beneficiaries – like life insurance, IRAs, or bank accounts with pay-on-death or transfer-ondeath 
designations – a will may be all you need. Some states also offer simplified probate for small 
estates, which can make the process quicker and cheaper. 

You don’t need a trust just because you have a will. But if avoiding probate, protecting privacy, or 
managing assets during incapacity is important to you, a trust is worth considering. Even a modest 
estate can benefit from a clear plan. 

Getting help 

If you don’t already have an attorney, a good estate-planning professional can help figure out what’s 
right for you. Two trusted resources are the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) 
and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (naepc.org), both of which let you 
search for local professionals. 

Taking the time to put a plan in place, whether it’s a will, a trust, or both, can protect your loved 
ones, ease stress, and give you peace of mind now and in the future. 

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, 
Norman, OK 73070. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …JUNE BIRTHDAYS* 


Beth Copti, Marilyn Diaz, Anne Schryver, Jo Ann Williams, Paul Hagan, 
Lenore Crilly, Joann Serrato-Chi, Harriett Lyle, Jean Coleman, Birgitta 
Gerlinger, Luciana Rosenzweig, Linda Wochnik, Marian Woodford, Debbie 
Sheridan, Joanne Anthony, Carole Axline, Kika Downey, Shirley Hall, Janet 
Ten Eyck, Jane Thomas, Ray Burley, Bridget Flanagan,Donna Mathisen,VickyRyan, * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

JUST PINCH A NICKEL UNTIL THE 
BUFFALO SCREAMS 

Every so often, something happens reminding me of my father, who 
passed away over 16 years ago. Thinking back, he was the epitome 
of frugality. If I were to look up in the dictionary the meaning of 
frugality, I would not be surprised to find my father's name. 

His favorite saying was, "Just pinch a nickel until the buffalo screams." 

When I first heard him say that, I did not understand what he meant. 

I try to be frugal and not spend money I do not need to. I got that from good old dad.
Thinking of my father and his frugal attitude, I remembered when he generously 
picked up the lunch tab, then left a nickel tip for the waitress. 

At first, I could not believe it. I thought maybe it was a joke, and I was waiting for the 
punch line. Unfortunately, it never came. He actually tipped the waitress a nickel. I 
was tempted to ask him about that, but I figured it was none of my business. 

I do not need to have the latest gadget on the market. I do not have to update my cell 
phone every year to have the latest model. I've had my truck for 20 years and I'm not 
planning to trade it in for a newer model anytime soon. If that old truck gets me to 
where I need to go, that is all I really need. 

Years ago, I had a friend who traded in his car every two years for a brand-new one. 
I do not know whether he paid the car off before trading it in. He had to have a new 
car, which made him feel like a big man. 

Some relatives of mine, whom I will not name, are very obsessed with having the 
latest gadget. They like to flaunt it all the time. 

I do not interfere in their business. If they do not want to be frugal with their money, 
that's their business, not mine. However, I think it is very important for me to be 
frugal with my spending. After all, I am retired and live on a limited budget. 

I'm never going to win that $10 billion lotto because I'm too frugal. I cannot tell you 
how many phone calls I received claiming I had won $10 million in some lottery. All 
I have to do is pay $ 1,500 in processing fees. 

If my anti-frugal friends are willing to pay a $1,500 processing fee out of pocket, that 
is none of my business. To get that out of my pocket would be more impossible than 
any-thing I can think of at the time. 

I do not live an extravagant lifestyle by any means. Fortunately, for me, The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage does not live an extravagant lifestyle either. We are not in it 
for the money, but for the time we can spend together. If you walk by me sometime 
and hear a buffalo scream, you will know what I'm doing: pinching a nickel. 

Another area where I try to be frugal is with my time. I want to feel in control of mydays and use my time meaningfully, avoiding wasting my time, and focus on what 
truly matters. 

As a teenager, I knew how to waste time as well as anybody else. It took me a long 
time to realize I needed to be frugal with my time and make the most of it. My 
parents were snowbirds and spent the winter in Florida. The last time they were in 
Florida, my father was really in a serious health situation. He had been in a coma for 
a week or so. Then one day, he woke up as though he had never been sick in his life.
I am so glad I was there when he woke up. When he saw me, he actually got out of 
bed and sat with me in the living room. The first thing he said was: "Son, I want to 
go back home to Pennsylvania as soon as possible. Do you think we can do it in the 
next couple of days?" 

I agreed with him, and one of Dad's friends was there, took me out to the garage and 
said, "Don't you know your father is sick and may not live much longer?" 

Looking at him, I said, "Friend, I know my father has maybe two days left to live. I 
do not want the last of my time with him arguing about going back to Pennsylvania. 
I want to have a good conversation with him because I know this is the last one I'll 
have with him." 

The next day, my father passed away, I was so grateful I spent the time I had with him 
before he passed, and that time was not spent arguing about anything. I want to be 
frugal with every aspect of my life, not just my money.
Jesus addressed this subject in Luke 14:28-30. 

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the 
cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, 
and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This 
man began to build, and was not able to finish.” 

I have learned that being frugal enables me to finish what I start, which is so satisfying. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com