In the middle of a session this week, tattoo artist JC Stroebel stopped for a second to reflect on how he unknowingly started a movement among Timberwolves fans.

“All I did was tweet, and then over 500 people made it a big deal,” Stroebel said. “There were so many people that showed up, and I feel like that’s the story, right?”

That’s certainly where the story started roughly a year ago, when Stroebel fired off a tweet saying he would tattoo the words Naz Reid on anybody that wanted it. It almost immediately took on a life of its own among Timberwolves fans, and essentially overnight Stroebel and fellow local tattoo artist Jesse George found themselves booked solid.

Not that the lifelong Timberwolves fans were complaining. They were thrilled to play a small part in helping memorialize a deep playoff run that ended with the Timberwolves falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

Now, with the Timberwolves hosting the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, Stroebel and George are back at it again. They recently hosted an event at Beloved Studios in Roseville where they are both finishing up an apprenticeship.

Together, Stroebel and George came up with a variety of options for the occasion, from a legitimate portrait of Jaden McDaniels to a small illustration of an ant in honor of Anthony Edwards.

“We sat down and had a meeting like, ‘What would we want as fans ourselves?’ ” Stroebel said. “We’re going to have a new flash sheet every year with new tattoos, so it’ll be cool for people to be able to collect them.”

Though neither Stroebel nor George were sure how many people were going to show up at Beloved Studios, they were blown away by the response as Timberwolves fans packed the parking lot and lined up outside before the doors even opened.

“It was such a whirlwind for us last year, and we were kind of just going with it,” George said. “We actually had expectations this year, so we were a little bit nervous to see how it was all going to turn out.”

The first customer for Stroebel was Neesha Moore. She’s been a Timberwolves fan pretty much since she was born and takes a lot of pride in the collage on her upper thigh that includes the “Naz Reid” tattoo from last year.

“Just to be able to look down and know it’s a part of me is really cool,” Moore said. “Even if I’ve always known it’s a part of me, now everybody can see it.”

The first customer for George was Nolan Peterson. He has been a Timberwolves fan for as long as he can remember and has slowly been working on a leg sleeve ever since getting his “Naz Reid” tattoo last year.

“It’s a piece of art that brings me back to a memory,” Peterson said. “I’ll still be able to look back in like 10 years or 15 years and be like, ‘That was a fun time in my life.’ ”

That might be the coolest part about these tattoos. They basically freeze this moment in time for Timberwolves fans who have been waiting so long for their favorite team to rise to this level.

That helps explain why so many people have gravitated to Stroebel and George and their shared mission.

As the waiting room continued to fill up during the event at Beloved Studios, it was all hands on deck with a number of other artists helping Stroebel and George get the job done. They ended up doing 58 tattoos on Friday, and were on pace to do similar numbers on Saturday.

“I’m so freaking thankful that people showed up,” Stroebel said. “We had no clue what to expect. The most predominant feeling for me is gratitude. It’s an honor to be a part of.”

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Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb

As the days grow longer and the flowers begin to bloom, many of us feel the urge to open the windows, dust off forgotten corners, and breathe new life into our homes.

But what about our finances? Just like tidying up your living space, a thorough financial spring cleaning can eliminate inefficiencies, preserve your assets and align your money with your long-term goals.

Here’s a handy checklist to help you declutter your financial life and set yourself up for a more stable and successful future.

Digitize and organize your financial records

Before diving into budgets or investments, start by cleaning up the paperwork. Organized financial records save time, reduce stress and enhance security.

• Consolidate documents by gathering tax records, bank statements, credit reports, investment summaries, wills, insurance policies and loan documents. Eliminate outdated or duplicate paperwork that no longer serves a purpose.

• Go digital. Use secure cloud-based storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or encrypted USB drives. Make sure to enable multi-factor authentication for added protection.

• Establish a clear filing system, whether digital or physical, that categorizes your documents into banking, investments, taxes, legal matters and insurance.

• Set reminders for crucial deadlines — such as tax filing, insurance renewals and investment reviews — and back up your files regularly. A fireproof safe or a bank’s safe deposit box is a smart place to store key documents.

Streamline your budget

A budget is not a static plan — it should evolve with your goals and life changes.

• Reviewing your income and expenses. Compare last year’s spending patterns against your financial goals. Did you overspend in certain areas? Can you redirect funds to savings or investments?

• Trim the fat by canceling unused subscriptions and negotiating better deals on essentials like insurance or utilities. Also, leverage rewards programs and cashback offers wherever possible.

• Increase your savings and investments. If you can, aim to save at least 15% of your income. Automate transfers to your emergency fund, retirement accounts or brokerage accounts.

• If you’re carrying high-interest debt, explore refinancing or debt consolidation options. Use strategies like the avalanche (tackle highest interest first) or snowball method (smallest balance first) to speed up repayment.

• And don’t forget to adjust for inflation. Rising prices can sneakily derail your progress. Look for ways to reduce spending without sacrificing your goals. And regardless of your age, consider maintaining exposure to growth assets such as stocks.

Conduct an end-to-end financial review

A financial review is essential to ensure your strategy still fits your current life situation and the market environment.

• Check in on your investment portfolio. Is your asset allocation aligned with your risk tolerance and timeline? Rebalance if needed, and consider tax-loss harvesting to offset capital gains in taxable accounts.

• Pull your free annual credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and correct any errors. A strong credit score (750 or higher) opens doors to better interest rates and financial products.

• Optimize your taxes by reviewing your withholding, maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs or health savings accounts (HSAs), and exploring deductions or credits you may have missed.

• Revisit your estate planning documents. Make sure your will, power of attorney and trust documents are up to date — and confirm that beneficiary designations reflect your current wishes.

• If retirement is on the horizon (within 10 years), evaluate your readiness. Assess income sources, withdrawal strategies and the best time to claim Social Security.

Secure your financial information

With fraud and cybercrime on the rise, protecting your data is more important than ever.

• Strengthen your passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on all financial accounts. Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity by setting up alerts and reviewing statements regularly.

• If you’re not planning to open new lines of credit, consider freezing your credit with all three major bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — to block identity thieves.

• Be on guard for phishing scams. Never click on unknown links or respond to unverified messages claiming to be from your bank or insurer.

• Finally, review your insurance coverage. Make sure you’re adequately protected for home, auto, health, disability and long-term care. For broader protection, consider an umbrella policy.

Get in the habit

Spring cleaning your finances isn’t a one-and-done task — it’s an ongoing process that pays dividends in your future. By getting in the habit of organizing your records, updating your budget, reviewing your financial plan and securing your data, you’re investing in a more efficient, confident financial future.

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The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb are financial advisers at Wealth Enhancement Group and co-hosts of “Your Money” on WCCO 830 AM on Sunday mornings. Email Bruce and Peg at yourmoney@wealthenhancement.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services are separate entities from LPL Financial.

 

Finding something good to eat in Portugal and Northern Spain is ridiculously easy. Nearly every establishment serves its own specialties, often seafood-based near the coast.

But there are some traditional (and not-so-traditional) foods you should seek out while you’re in the area.

Here are 10 dishes to try — most of which are difficult to find elsewhere in the world.

Cachorrinhos (small hot dogs) at Gazela in Porto, Portugal. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

1. Cachorrinhos (small hot dogs): Popular especially in Porto, these skinny sausages, stuffed into a long crispy, fluffy roll along with a little cheese and some piri piri hot sauce, are a hot-dog lover’s dream. We had one at Gazela, a popular local watering hole in Porto that became world famous after Anthony Bourdain’s visit there aired in 2017.

That being said, expect to wait a bit for a table, especially during peak hours. Given how insanely cheap the hot dogs and crisp, refreshing beer are, I’d say it’s worth every second. Pro tip: Get more than one, especially if you’re there with more than two people. They are so good you’ll regret not having one more nibble.

A pastel de nata at Manteigaria in Lisbon, Portugal. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

2. Portuguese pastries: If you’re at all aware of the Portuguese food scene, you probably know about pastel de nata, the little cream tarts served all over Lisbon and much of the country. But what you might not know is that every little town in Portugal has a pastry it is known for. Stop into any local bakery and ask for their specialty, many of which contain obscene amounts of egg yolks. That being said, we did spend quite a bit of time trying to find the best pastel de nata, and I think we landed on Manteigaria, which has locations all over Lisbon and goes through so many of the tarts that they are always just-out-of-the-oven warm.

Bifanas (pork sandwiches) at Taxca in Porto, Portugal. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

3. Bifanas: These pork sandwiches, served on a light, airy, crusty roll, are popular all over Portugal. We found a most excellent version at Taxca, a Porto bar popular with locals. For the filling, pork loin is pounded thin and marinated in white wine, garlic, paprika, and sometimes a few hot chiles, as is the case with the spicy version at Taxca, where the guys behind the bar pile a bun high with the meat before dragging it through the jus. I’m honestly still thinking about this simple, perfect sandwich nearly a month later.

A Francesinha sandwich in Sintra, Portugal. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

4. Francesinha: This sandwich, found at nearly every casual eatery in Portugal, is anything but simple. Two pieces of square bread are layered with steak, ham and cheese, then smothered with a tomato and beer sauce before being topped with a sunny-side-up egg. It is messy, it is delicious, and it is the perfect hangover food. I speak from experience.

A woman pours ginjinha into chocolate shot glasses on a street in the Alfama neighborhood of Lisbon, Portugal. (Courtesy of Jason Thomas)

5. Ginjinha: I’m not always a liqueur person — generally, they are too sweet for me — but this cherry-infused brandy, found all over Portugal, is pretty good! The sour cherries it’s made with offer a lot of complexity, and though there’s sugar, it doesn’t taste overwhelmingly sweet. Often, it’s served in an edible chocolate shot glass.

First, you sip it down a bit, then you put the whole thing in your mouth and chew for the best experience. Don’t worry — the ultra-helpful Portuguese will give you a tutorial when you order it. My favorite was a chocolate-cup shot from a woman selling them on the street in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood.

Pinchos in San Sebastian, Spain. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

6. Pinchos or Pintxos: The former is the Spanish spelling; the latter is Basque. These little snacks — often one or two bites for people with bigger mouths than mine — are the Basque Country’s answer to tapas, and I love them. Sometimes served on little slices of baguette, sometimes on skewers, they’re usually meat or fish adorned with vegetables and whatever else strikes the chef’s fancy.

Traditionally, people in the region would go out for a drink and one pinchos before dinner, but as they have grown in popularity, tourists and locals alike are making dinner out of hopping from one restaurant to the next, ordering a little snack and a drink at each until they’re full. I love the tapas crawl culture in southern Spain, so the pinchos crawl was a delight for us. The best places we found to do this were Logroño and San Sebastian’s old town.

Piparras fried in tempura batter at Bar la Quimera, tin Logroño, Spain. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

7. Piparras: These mildly spicy small peppers are popular in Basque Country. If you can find them dipped in tempura batter and fried, you’re in luck. They are so delicious that we returned to Bar la Quimera, the place that sold them this way in Logroño, for a second night in a row.

Jamón Ibérico on a charcuterie platter in Spain. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

8. Jamón Ibérico: All over Spain, the people love ham. They are proud of their ham. They put it on everything. It is delicious. Honestly, it’s gotta be tough to be someone who doesn’t eat pork in these parts because it’s hard to avoid it.

Basque cheesecake at La Viña in San Sebastian, Spain. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

9. Basque cheesecake: Though I wouldn’t necessarily call this a traditional Basque food — it was invented at La Viña in San Sebastian in the 1980s — this cheesecake has gone viral on social media for a reason. It’s simple, creamy and delicious. Unlike New York cheesecake, there’s no crust on this “cake,” it’s just all the good stuff, cooked at a higher temperature than the U.S. version to keep the inside extra creamy and burnish the outside just enough to offer a caramelized flavor and a little texture. Pair it with a glass of Txakoli, see below.

Txacoli wine in Zumaia, Spain. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

10. Txakoli: Although it is possible to find this tart, slightly effervescent Basque Country white wine in Minnesota (I scored two brands at Mick’s Bottle Shop on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue), it’s something you can and should drink while you’re in the area. It is much cheaper there, and it goes really well with seafood pinchos and, well, everything. Our group drank many bottles of it in Logroño and San Sebastian. Apparently, Txakoli had been poorly regarded by wine snobs for many years, but has recently grown in popularity. I’m not a wine snob, but I think it’s delightful.

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