Check out our May newsletter!
Nest Egg
THE
MAY 2020
Answering Big Questions
1 YouTube Video at a Time
In this unprecedented time, we are facing a challenge unlike anything most of us have ever faced. We have to adapt to changing circumstances and a new way of living, at least temporarily. Many people are now working from home, while others may be out of work altogether. For some people, each day can feel like its own challenge. The important thing to remember is that we are all in this together — we face this challenge as a community. This month, I want to share an update about what I have been doing the past couple of months while working from home. In addition to working with a lot with clients, I have been updating our YouTube channel — YouTube.com/user/bridgeriveradvisors . YouTube is a valuable resource, and with many people at home, this is a great time to focus on creating a few new educational videos. I looked at the questions people are asking and a variety of circumstances clients and others may find themselves in — along with their money. And here is a brief look at a few of the videos I created to address these questions. Interested in Getting 10% Dividends? Better Act Now! When the market crashes, it’s not all bad news. The truth is that you can use it to your advantage. In this case, I’m talking about buying dividend-paying exchange-traded funds (ETFs) at a discount. I know of one in which you can get over 10% dividends. This particular ETF is in the energy sector. If you’re a client, you know I have avoided energy ETFs for growth, but for income, it should be considered. Check out this video to find out why this one ETF has my attention. Beware of the Retirement Red Zone! I’ve brought up this topic in the newsletter before. The red zone is the period of time between when you officially retire and when you “turn on” your new income (pensions, Social Security). People want to know how they can get more control
over their money while reducing their tax burden — and you can. In fact, as this video discusses, you can have a year or two of no income, sell select securities, and pay no taxes on those gains. Dirty Little Secrets About Dividends! This video tackles the myth that you need at least $1 million to retire. I get into why this is not true. Dividends can play to your advantage, and you can put your money to work — and make it last a lifetime. And the great thing is that you don’t need anywhere near $1 million to make your vision of retirement a reality. Watch the video to learn more! These, of course, are just a few topics I go over on the channel. Other topics include the new coronavirus aid package, market volatility, investments to avoid, reverse mortgages, and more. I’ll be updating the channel regularly, so be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you know when the newest videos go up. And if you have a question you’d like answered, don’t hesitate to drop me a line. And speaking of dropping me a line, while our physical office is closed due to the ban — and I’m working from home — I am still very much working. I’m meeting with people over Zoom and on the phone. We were lucky to have a cloud-based phone system in place before the pandemic, which made the shift to working from home a breeze. So, if you have any questions, concerns, or anything else, give us a call and we can set up a time to chat.
In the meantime, stay safe out there, and we’ll talk again soon.
-Dan Casey
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HAS BREAKFAST IN BED GONE OUT OF STYLE? Serving breakfast in bed to moms, especially on Mother’s Day, has been a widespread tradition for years, but have you
then, serving mothers breakfast in bed has become a popular Mother’s Day ritual around the world, and it remains so today. However, there is one group whose voice has been left out of the breakfast in bed conversation: mothers. In a recent study conducted by Zagat, a well-known dining survey site, researchers found that only 4% of moms polled want breakfast in bed. Yes, you read that right. When you factor in the mess of syrup, crumbs, and coffee spilling over clean sheets, it’s understandable. Today’s mothers usually don’t have servants to clean up afterward. The study also revealed what most moms prefer to do for breakfast on Mother’s Day: 53% of mothers like to go out, and 39% prefer brunch instead of breakfast. While breakfast in bed seems like a nice gesture, statistics show that it’s probably the last thing your mom wants to wake up to on May 10. This Mother’s Day, show your appreciation for your mom or the mother of your children by asking her what she would like to do. She deserves the holiday morning she desires, whether that includes a full breakfast in bed or carryout from her favorite brunch joint.
ever wondered if it’s what your mom really wants? Here’s a look at the Mother’s Day breakfast in bed tradition and some recent insight into the popular trend. According to Heather Arndt Anderson, author of “Breakfast: A History,” the popularity of breakfast in bed became widespread during the Victorian era, but only for married, wealthy women who had servants. Those women would enjoy their first meal of the day in bed, and then their servants would handle all the spilled scone crumbs and messy breakfast residue. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson dubbed Mother’s Day a national U.S. holiday, and a few years later, the aristocratic English tradition of breakfast in bed sailed across the pond to America. By the 1930s, food and bedding companies capitalized on the tradition and the new holiday by running ads in magazines and newspapers encouraging children and fathers to serve their matriarchs breakfast in bed. Since
WHILE FOLLOWING SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging communities across the U.S. to practice social distancing. While this will help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, it also means that social interactions will be minimal. In addition to impeding many industries and businesses, this has significant impacts on families and friends who can no longer visit each other in person. Luckily, the technology we have today allows us to stay in touch while still practicing social responsibility. Yoursphere or Kidzworld, kid-friendly networks that let them keep in touch with their friends while you can monitor their activity. Get in touch with other parents to set up virtual play dates over video chats for your kids. They can even watch a movie or TV show together. HOST A MOVIE NIGHT. HOW TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Speaking of movies, Netflix developed a unique way for people to watch movies and shows together: Netflix
SPRUCE UP EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.
Party. If you have a desktop or laptop with a Chrome browser,
Hopping on the phone or your laptop to video chat is a great way to reach out and catch up with loved ones. While folding laundry or doing other mundane chores, give a friend or your parents a call to idly chat; it can make your tedious tasks much more enjoyable. Video calls are also beneficial if, for example, you’re missing out on your daily workouts with a friend. Hop on a video chat to practice yoga, cardio, or other simple exercise routines together.
visit NetflixParty.com to download the application. Once downloaded, open the movie or TV series you’d like
to watch, create or join a “party,” then relax and enjoy the show while chatting with friends.
These are only a few examples of how we can stay in touch during these concerning times. Talk with your family and friends and see what other creative ideas you can come up with together. Even though you may be apart from loved ones right now, virtual communication has never been easier or more plentiful.
LET YOUR KIDS CHAT WITH FRIENDS.
Kids can benefit from video chatting by staying in touch with their friends while school and other activities are canceled. Letting your kids connect to social media is a pretty big step, so consider signing them up for
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When cats are orphaned as kittens, they don’t get the chance to develop all the skills needed to become successful cats. Just like human children, kittens need older role models too. The most famous cat role model had a rough start in life but became an inspiration for kittens and humans alike. His name was Grandpa Mason, and during the last years of his life, he stepped up and gave love, care, and guidance to the orphaned kittens that lived with him. The Canadian animal rescue group TinyKittens rescued Grandpa Mason in 2016 from a property that was scheduled to be bulldozed. The poor feral tabby was suffering from many health problems, including severe dental issues, a badly injured paw, and advanced kidney disease. Since TinyKittens is a no-kill rescue organization, euthanization was out of the question. Given his health conditions, veterinarians predicted the battle-scarred Grandpa Mason didn’t have long to live, so TinyKittens’ founder, Shelly Roche, took him in and provided him with a comfortable place to sleep, plenty of food, and time to relax in the last months of his life. Grandpa Mason had a hard time adjusting to domestic life and would often shy away from being petted. In an interview with The Dodo, Roche described him as “an elderly gentleman [who] lived his whole life a certain way, and
then, all of a sudden, [was] forced to live completely differently.”
After Grandpa Mason grew accustomed to his home, Roche took in several foster kittens, and those new roommates completely altered Grandpa Mason’s behavior. Roche expected him to hiss, swat, or growl at the kittens when they invaded his space, but he didn’t. Instead, he allowed them to crawl all over him and appeared to enjoy it when they licked his ear. Suddenly a playful, affectionate, and gentle personality came out of Grandpa Mason as he played with, bathed, taught, and cared for the orphaned kittens that Roche welcomed into her home. Potentially due to the kittens’ influence, Grandpa Mason surpassed his prognosis by more than two years. During the last few years of his life, Grandpa Mason passed on important lessons and good manners to the kittens he looked after and adored, as a true grandfather should. He passed last September, but he spent his last night in his ultimate happy place: snuggling in his bed surrounded by kittens.
THE STORY OF GRANDPA MASON How a Feral Cat Came to Care for Orphaned Kittens SUDOKU
Sticky and Sweet Pork ‘Ribs’
Ingredients
Inspired by Bon Appétit
• • • • • • • •
2 heads garlic, cloves separated
3 thumbs ginger, chopped
1 cup hoisin sauce 3/4 cup fish sauce 2/3 cup honey 2/3 cup rice wine
• • • •
1/3 cup toasted sesame oil
5 lbs boneless pork shoulder, flattened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp molasses
1/2 cup chili oil
1/3 cup oyster sauce
Directions
4. Using a convection plate on the grill, cook pork until the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 140–145 F. 5. In a large saucepan, simmer brown sugar, molasses, and reserved marinade for 6–8 minutes. 6. Baste the pork with the brown sugar glaze for 2 minutes before serving. 3 248.785.3734
1. In a blender, purée garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, honey, rice wine, chili oil, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil until smooth. 2. Reserve and chill 1 1/2 cups for later use. 3. In a bag, add the remaining mixture and pork shoulder. Marinate for at least 8 hours.
Solution
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INSIDE This Issue
An Educational Resource You Don’t Want to Miss Has Breakfast in Bed Gone Out of Style? Technology Saves the Day The Best Grandfather a Kitten Could Have Sticky and Sweet Pork ‘Ribs’
What Is Gardening Good For?
HEALTH BENEFITS OF FAMILY GARDENING Give Your Kid the Gift of a Green Thumb
Springtime often means nicer weather and more time spent outside, but it also means it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development. For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization skills.” Furthermore, several studies,
including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves a child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves. Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies. If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants.
Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!
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