Millionaire Athletes – They’re Just Like Us

relatively underpaid due to how teams perceive the importance of having a star occupying that roster slot. Barkley had the opportunity to sign longer-term deals, but he wanted to bet on himself, so he declined.

by David Rath, CMT, CFA for Saratoga TODAY

Is it possible to feel bad for someone who gets paid millions of dollars to play a game? If you read through the comment section of any article discussing Saquon Barkley’s contract situation, you will find many people sympathizing with him. On the surface, it seems ridiculous for people to have these types of feelings, but we are all human beings, and we feel a connection to another’s plight, regardless of status. I’m always looking for practical applications of things, so read on to see how we can learn from his circumstances.

For non-football fans, Saquon Barkley is a running back for the New York Giants. He was a highly sought-after prospect out of college and is currently up for a new contract. The Giants gave him the option to accept a guaranteed one-year $10 million contract or to negotiate a longerterm deal. The “problem” is twofold. First, football is a violent sport, so one-year contracts are unappealing to superstars looking to lock in value due to the prevalence of injuries. Second, the running back position is

Humans tend to compare themselves to others. This is sometimes referred to as “keeping up with the Joneses.” In Barkley’s case, his teammate, quarterback Daniel Jones (wow, that last name fits perfectly with the message), just received a massive contract from the same organization looking to save costs on Barkley. I think he is realistic enough not to expect quarterback money, but envy has undoubtedly crept into his mind during this process. This is not unlike one of us being comfortable in our career yet coveting a neighbor’s car, house, or boat. All that should matter is where we are relative to our goals.

The free market determines the value of a product or service. Barkley appears to have grossly overestimated the amount of money that teams around the league are willing to pay running backs. I won’t go into the X’s and O’s of this, but other running back contracts should have provided a clue to him and his agents. We might think that our house should sell for a certain amount. Or that our company stock should increase in price based on favorable financial reports. In a world of supply and demand, it pays to listen to the market while making financial decisions. Don’t fight it.

Betting on yourself can be lucrative, but it also entails risk. We’ve seen athletes in similar situations parlay an expiring contract with a career year to ensure generational wealth for them and their families. The very nature of risk is that you are willing to accept unfavorable outcomes in anticipation of outsized returns. Betting on yourself is one of the surest ways to accelerate your career growth. But beware. Joining a start-up or accepting a lower-paying job in a company with greater advancement opportunities is not a slam dunk. Take calculated risks.

I am part of the contingent that feels bad for Barkley. He has been an ideal teammate and face of the franchise. He puts his body on the line and has suffered injuries as a result. There is no opportunity for me to have his ear to impart wisdom, but that doesn’t prevent me from having similar conversations with clients. After all, we are all going through the same stuff.

David Rath, CMT, CFA, is the Chief Investment Officer at

Continuum Wealth Advisors in Saratoga Springs. Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor registered through the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, visit contwealth.com.

Reisa Gould-Donath

moved to Saratoga Springs in 1974, which would remain Reisa’s home for the rest of her life. Reisa and Peter divorced in 1977, and soon thereafter she met Charles Donath of Burlington, Vermont. Reisa and Charles were married in 1982 in Madison, Connecticut.

and Charles enjoyed seeing live music at Caffe Lena, walking in Spa Park, taking drives around Saratoga Lake, and listening to music together.

Nataleno “Ned” J. Reo

James P. Weinman

SARATOGA SPRINGS —

Reisa Gould-Donath, 78, died Saturday, July 22 in the early morning hours at home, surrounded by her loving family. Reisa was born in New York City on March 15, 1945 to Jeanette and Robert Silverstein, and grew up with older brother Eric, who predeceased her.

A true child of New York City, she left home to attend college at Antioch in Ohio, where she met future husband Peter Gould, also of New York City. They married in the late 1960s and had two children, Rachel, born in 1971, and Gabriel, born in 1974. The family

Reisa’s career as a nurse started with nursing school for her RN at Adirondack Community College. Later she did her Nurse Practitioner certification and began a long and fulfilling career with Planned Parenthood, culminating in her position as Clinic Coordinator at the Saratoga Springs branch. She continued her education in the mid-1990s, completing her MS in Nursing at Russell Sage College. She strongly believed in women’s health care and was an important part of the health and well-being of many Saratoga-area women.

Reisa loved animals, and she and Charles founded a local animal rights organization which was active throughout the early 1990s. She was devoted to many beloved pets, most recently her dog Cody, and filled her home with pictures and sculptures of animals. Reisa

Reisa is survived by her husband Charles, 70, daughter Rachel, 52, of Ithaca, NY, son Gabriel, 49, of Huntingdon, PA, and grandchildren Elliot, 15, and Silas, 14. She is also survived by her father- and mother-in-law, Frank and Joan “Ducky” Donath, sisters-inlaw Amy Carretto and Emilie Donath-Crawford, and Emilie’s husband Robert Crawford, all of Burlington, VT.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Saratoga Regional YMCA, where Reisa was a longtime member, or the Humane Society of the United States, which she supported for many years.

A private Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nataleno “Ned” J. Reo, 92, passed away on July 18, 2023. Visitation was held on Mon., July 24 at Burke Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway. Mass was held Tues., 7/25 at St. Clements Church with burial following in GBH Saratoga National Cemetery. Remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

QUEENSBURY — James P. Weinman, 80, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2023 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s. Memorial donations to High Peaks Hospice (highpeakshospice. org/donate/) and Double H Ranch (doublehranch. org/donate/). Mass 10 a.m. Monday, 7/31/2023 St. Edward the Confessor, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd, Clifton Park. Visit burkefuneralhome.com

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

SARATOGA SPRINGS ∙ 584-5373

SARATOGA SPRINGS ∙ 584-5373

Leona C. Signor

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

Burke & Bussing

Dixie D. White

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Leona Casey Signor, 90, peacefully passed away July 21, 2023. Calling hours Friday, 7/28/23, 4-5:30 at Burke Funeral home, service following 5:30. Burial 11am, 7/29 at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave. Memorial donations to Community Hospice of Saratoga Springs and/ or Saratoga Central Catholic School. burkefuneralhome.com

WILTON — Dixie D. White passed away July 12, 2023 at her home in Ballston Spa. At the family’s request there will be no calling hours or service at this time. There will be a celebration of life at a later date. Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes

View Obituaries online at saratogatodaynewspaper.com

Saratoga Police

Antonio Trujillo Mena, 27, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 17 with criminal mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing, and assault.

Kevin Cavanagh, 56, was charged July 16 with criminal trespass.

Paul Gunya, 33, of Northumberland, was charged July 16 with criminal mischief.

Theresa Sheffer, 44, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 16 with DWI, and operating a motor vehicle without inspection certificate.

Ann Matrazzo, 62, of Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged July 15 with criminal possession of stolen property.

Robert Seward, 54, of Utica, was charged July 15 with DWI, and two driving violations.

Lauren Baran, 36, of Ballston Spa, was charged July 15 with DWI.

Brandon Camaj, 21, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 14 with assault.

Christopher Cormier, 52, was charged July 13 with petit larceny.

Aaron Godlewski, 31, of Altamont, was charged July 13 with grand larceny.

Jordan Jones, 32, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 13 with aggravated unlicensed operation, circumvent interlock, and three driving-related violations.

Stephen Gullotti, 39, of Malta, was charged July 12 with petit larceny.

Michael West, 37, of Greenfield, was charged July 12 with four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and one count criminal sale of a controlled substance.

James Yawn, 42, of Schenectady, was charged July 12 with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Amanda Ashline, 36, of Saratoga Springs, was charged July 12 with aggravated unlicensed operation, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

On July 6, members the Saratoga Springs Police Department Special Investigations Unit, in conjunction with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant on a residence located on the east side of the city. The several-monthslong investigation began with complaints from concerned neighbors about possible illegal drug activity involving a resident of the home. Tiffany M. Salak, 35, was charged with three felonies - criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal nuisance, and the misdemeanor - criminal possession of a controlled substance.

SARATOGA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Korey J. West, Jason O. Allen, Bradley L. Allen, and Diane E. Allen were arrested following a lengthy investigation of drug trafficking in Saratoga County. Members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics

Unit / Special Operations Team and the Saratoga Springs Police Department SIU executed a search warrant at 223 Bockes Road in the Town of Greenfield. As a result of the investigation and search warrant, scales, packaging material, quantities of fentanyl, crack/ cocaine, and suboxone were seized. Korey J. West, 25, was charged with four counts each of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two counts criminal sale of a controlled substance. All charges are felonies. Bradley L. Allen, 67, Diane E. Allen, 62, and Jason O. Allen, 43, were each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree. Jason Allen was additionally charged with criminal nuisance in the first-degree.

On June 8, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office charged 19-year-old Riley A. MacLeod, of Wilton, with felony assault, and criminal possession of a weapon – a misdemeanors. MacLeod is accused of attacking a family member with a knife while at their home in the town of Wilton. The family member suffered a nonlife-threatening, stab wound to the arm, was treated at Saratoga Hospital and released after treatment.

On July 17, the Sheriff’s Office charged Michael D. Hepp, 34, of Troy, with felony robbery, in connection with a suspected robbery at Hayner’s Ice Cream and Country Store. It is alleged Hepp forcibly stole money and threatened the use of a firearm. The victim was not injured during the incident and the investigation is ongoing. Hepp was arraigned and sent to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $30,000 cash bail, $60,000 bond, and a $300,000 partially secured bond.

Saratoga County Court

George R. Licata, 55, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded to DWAI, charged May 28 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing Aug. 25.

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Saratoga County Seeks Volunteers to Deliver Meals to Homebound Seniors in Schuylerville

SCHUYLERVILLE —

The Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Schuylerville.

This important program helps many seniors, age 60 and older, remain independent in their homes by providing them with a nutritious ready-to-eat lunch each weekday.

Meals are picked up at 11 a.m. and delivered until 1 p.m. Volunteers’ schedules are flexible to meet their availability.

To become a volunteer,