HAIKU POEMS BY NEERAJ

I work hard, and play hard too! When I am not preparing income tax returns or forming legal entities for his clients, I enjoy the beats of the perfect haiku. 🤣

I never thought of myself as a poet - but I do love to write. A collection of haiku to portray our beautiful town Penfield - and me - in a different way. 

I hope you enjoy this work in process collection.

I've enjoyed playing chess with my boys in recent years. It's a  little quiet time with little distraction. The game can end quickly or  it can last almost too long. Sometimes there is well thought out  strategy on either side, other times it is a free for all. Either way,  it is great father-son bonding, and I recommend. 

The chess pieces for the  game are so different in nature - but each has its own strengths (and  probably weaknesses too, but I'm no grandmaster). Either way, I looked  at each piece and applied it to life (and money). I think you will enjoy  - and maybe you will find it helpful.     

THE PAWN - Sometimes overlooked in favor of bigger pieces or more dramatic moves,  but if played strategically early this piece can effect the outcome.  Example: ethics -  stay on course, don't get distracted and surround yourself with good  people. 🧘Without strong ethics, it is very hard to go far in life. 

THE ROOK - One of the most serious pieces that can fill the board when moved logically. Think good habits - healthy eating 🥕 (eat your veggies), regular exercise 💪 and getting your annual check-up will  go a long way. Example: health is wealth. Easily said, hard to do. Talk  to your doctor. It is so easy to procrastinate on all of these, but we  should all aim to prioritize these above all else.  

THE KNIGHT - This piece is somewhat harder to play, but once you are comfortable then it can open many doors. Example: understand and manage your risk 🪂 and get help with taxes and money 💰. Find yourself a good attorney and cpa (penfieldtax.com can really help you here). Like I tell my kid, you don't know what you don't know. Might as well start learning. 

THE BISHOP - A more mature chess piece that can move far across the diagonals is a good piece for long-term strategy. Example: consider insurance ☂️ for rainy day (life, long-term care, and disability) and have a more active role with your investments 🪙  (early contribution to IRA, 401k and 529). Finding a competent  insurance agent and financial advisor can be a great stress reliever.  

THE KING AND QUEEN - These two pieces are placed next to each other for security and strength. Example: don't forget the importance of family values -  whether it is husband and wife or brother and sister or similar love.  Stay together through thick and thin. ❤️ This is what keeps me going -  family. Oh, and always remember that the Queen is the most powerful  piece on the board - so that should tell you a little about who runs the  home! 

CLOSING THOUGHTS - As the English chess grandmaster Nigel Short once said, "Modern chess is  too much concerned with things like pawn structure. Forget it.  Checkmate ends the game." 

1. ethics 🧘‍♂️
2. healthy eating 🥕, regular exercise 💪 and annual check-up (doctor)
3. manage risk 🪂 and money 💰 (attorney and cpa)
4. insurance ☂️ and investments 🪙 (financial advisor)
5. family values ❤️

your move.

Neeraj Shah is the owner the two legally separate, but complimentary businesses, Shah CPA Firm, PLLC and Shah Law Firm, PLLC. Over the years, he has earned several professional designations, including MBA, CPA and attorney and counselor at law. However, you talk to him and you will soon find out there is one thing that he is most proud of - his hometown, the Town of Penfield.