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JANUARY 2024
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When I meet with retired individuals who need income, I usually look at a few places first: their income annuities, dividends, or a combination of both. However, each place has pros and cons to consider. The pro of annuities lies in their guarantees. By agreeing to give an insurance company a portion of your nest egg, the insurance company, in return, promises you money for the remainder of your life post- retirement, regardless of how long you live. Ultimately, the cons lie in their lack of liquidity. As for dividends, the con is that you are still technically in the stock market. While you may invest in companies that pay dividends, the value of your portfolio is dependent on the stock market. This means if the market crashes, your portfolio likely will, too, even though the value of those dividends will largely remain the same. Thankfully, we have a nice positive bubble in the market right now for safe investments as a side effect of the Fed raising rates to 5.50%. So, the positive side effect is that shorter-term products like CDs and short-term annuities are paying decent dividends. Learn About Annuities, Dividends, and the Current CD Boom Retirement Income Dilemma?
money to make them worthwhile. They, too, lack liquidity and will lock your money up for longer periods.
So, if you’re looking for income, CDs are a good short-term solution. However, it’s also important to be mindful of the reinvestment risk that comes with them. For example, if you buy a 12-month CD at 5%, that means in 12 months, you must revisit the CD. In that time, the Fed could cut rates far lower than the original 5%, and now you’re back to square one. Annuities do have the upper hand in that you can lock in a rate, say 5%–6%, for the entire annuity term, which can be as short as 3–5 years. That way, even if the Fed does cut rates in 12 months, you’re locked in for the next three years at 5% or higher. Of course, there’s still reinvestment risk, so it’s not a great long-term solution, but it’s still a viable option to replace some of the other more common income-generating investments. And, if people don’t want to revisit these short-term investments every few years, some of those longer-term income annuities might still be the answer to fill the gap some may have in retirement. Every person’s gap and financial requirements are different, so no one income investing strategy
The issue with CDs, though, is that since the yield curve is inverted, shorter- term CDs are paying good rates, but longer-term CDs don’t pay enough
will fit everyone’s needs. So, I’d love to help you find the best post-retirement income strategy for you. Just call 248-785-3734, and we can meet to discuss your unique circumstances, goals, and financial future post-retirement.
BRIDGERIVER JANUARY 2024 SEMINARS Jan. 23 & 25 6:30 p.m. Loccino (Troy) Zero Taxes in Retirement with Ryan Gauche Jan. 30 & Feb. 1 6:30 p.m. Roadside B&G (Bloomfield Hills) Zero Taxes in Retirement with Dan Casey Register today at BridgeriverLLC.com! Free dinner provided. Schedule subject to change.
-Dan Casey President, Bridgeriver Advisors
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Food for Thought — The Benefits of Eating as a Family
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of sharing a meal with family or friends. However, research suggests that eating together at least three times a week can significantly benefit overall health, particularly for children. Let’s delve into why this age-old tradition is more important than ever. Promotes Healthy Eating Habits One of the most immediate benefits of family meals is you generally eat better. Families sitting down to eat together are more likely to consume a balanced homemade meal rich in essential nutrients like calcium and fiber. This is especially beneficial for children in their formative years who need these nutrients for growth and development. Weight Management Eating together also helps in controlling weight more effectively. Home-prepared meals usually contain healthier ingredients and allow for
better portion control. Mealtime structure also supports better eating habits, which can be a crucial factor in weight management for both adults and children. Positive Effects on Child Development Research suggests that eating dinner together positively affects child development. Children interact with adults and siblings, and conversations help them learn social skills, table manners, family values, and culture. Emotional Well-Being Family meals are not just about the food but also about spending quality time together. Enjoying a meal with loved ones allows family bonding and may even improve mental health. It contributes to fewer emotional problems and helps children feel loved, safe, and secure. Educational Benefits Mealtime conversations can be educational. Parents can discuss various topics, helping
children expand their knowledge, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. This intellectual stimulation can be particularly beneficial for school-aged children. Sharing meals with family or friends is not just a social custom but a healthful practice with numerous benefits. The advantages are numerous, especially for children. So, make it a point to gather around the table for a meal at least three times a week. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you.
Keep Your Eyes to the Sky
Explore the Celestial Highlights of 2024
You could easily miss a lot happening above our atmosphere if you didn’t stay up late or watch the news beforehand. Once the sun sets tonight, look up at the sky. As long as you’re not in an area with heavy light pollution, you should be able to see brilliant constellations. On some nights, you may even see more than you expected. No, we’re not talking about UFOs or little green men but about naturally occurring phenomena deep in outer space. Several unique events take place in 2024. Here are the highlights you don’t want to miss! Meteor Showers Seeing a shooting star is magical, but witnessing a meteor shower is awe-inspiring. Meteor showers occur when interstellar dust particles enter our planet’s atmosphere at high speeds. The first meteor shower of the year is the Quadrantids Meteor Shower, which should take place a few days after New Year’s, but if you miss it, you won’t have to wait long to see another. April, May, July, August, October, and November should also have meteor
showers. Be aware that if the moon shines too brightly, you likely won’t be able to see the meteors. Saturn Looking at other planets can be fascinating but not always possible, especially without a telescope. Thankfully, you won’t need a telescope to see Saturn and its rings on Sept. 8. Once the sun sets, head outside and look to the east. You should see a bright yellow star that’s not usually visible. That’s Saturn! Total Lunar Eclipse You won’t have to wait until night to see this rare occurrence. On April 8, the moon will pass perfectly between the Sun and Earth, creating an eclipse. Residents of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine will see a total eclipse for only a handful of minutes. The rest of the country will still see an eclipse, but it won’t be as extreme. The next total lunar eclipse won’t occur until August 2044, so get out there and see it this year! Just be sure to wear protective eyewear!
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How Different Cultures Celebrate the New Year BEYOND THE BALL DROP
Denmark: Breaking Plates The Danish have a unique way of showing affection to their friends and family. On New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to break plates and dishes against the doors of loved ones. The more broken pieces you find at your doorstep, the more popular and loved you are.
The New Year is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. While many of us are familiar with the ball drop in Times Square or the clinking of champagne glasses at midnight, exploring how different countries and cultures ring in the New Year is fascinating. Let’s journey outside the United States to discover a few unique New Year’s traditions from around the world. Spain: Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight As the clock strikes midnight in Spain, people eat 12 grapes — one for each clock chime. This tradition brings good luck and prosperity for the coming year. The grapes are usually eaten in public squares and plazas where crowds gather to celebrate. It’s a race against time to eat all 12 grapes before the last chime, as failing can bring in bad luck.
Brazil: Offerings to Iemanjá In Brazil, particularly in coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro, people make offerings to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, on New Year’s Eve. They gather at the
beach dressed in white and send small boats filled with flowers, candles, and gifts into the ocean as offerings. Scotland: First-Footing In Scotland, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the “first- footer” and will bring good luck for the year. Traditionally, the first-footer should be a tall, dark-haired male who brings gifts like coal, bread, and whisky to symbolize warmth, luck, and good cheer.
Japan: Joya-no-Kane (Bell Ringing) The Japanese celebrate Joya-no-Kane, where temple bells ring 108 times: 107 times on Dec. 31, and then the 108th ring at midnight on the New Year, bridging the old and new year. This practice is rooted in Buddhist beliefs and is thought to cleanse the 108 worldly desires that cause human suffering.
TAKE A BREAK
Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a zesty dish that combines salmon with the vibrant flavors of garlic and lemon! Ingredients
• 2 lbs salmon fillets • 4 cloves garlic, minced • Juice of 2 lemons • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried thyme • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the baking dish. 3. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salmon. 4. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
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INSIDE
This Issue Discover the Power of Annuities, Dividends, and Short-Term CDs Why Eating Together Matters More Than You Think
A Preview of 2024’s Best Celestial Events
Unique New Year’s Traditions Around The World
Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon
Transform Your Home With These 3 Smart Devices!
THE FUTURE OF HOME LIVING: Discover the Must-Have Smart Devices for Your Space When we think of technological innovations, we may focus on things like smartphones and self-driving cars. But in today’s fast-paced and ever-advancing world, our homes are experiencing smart revolutions of their own. Smart home devices are easy to operate and make our lives easier. So, if you’re looking to make a digital upgrade to your home, here are three devices we recommend you check out. Voice-Activated Assistants Voice assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home’s “Hey Google,” and Apple Homepod’s Siri, can be incredibly helpful around the house. With just a simple verbal command, they can set daily reminders for specific tasks, appointments, or medications; place outbound calls for emergencies; and even provide basic first-aid instructions when asked. Robot Vacuums On average, Americans spend six hours a week vacuuming their homes. While this task may seem simple, it can be quite physically demanding. Robot vacuums clean even the toughest spots (like under the couch!) all on their own, then return to their charging station. Smart Pet Feeders We love our furry friends, but feeding them at the same time every day can be a challenge. Not only that but feeding our four-legged friends requires a bit of bending, too. Luckily, smart pet feeders do all the work for you! They distribute food and water automatically and on a consistent schedule.
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