Bridgeriver Advisors - February 2022

Bridgeriver Advisors - February 2022

FEBRUARY 2022

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Do Your Retirement Accounts Have Purpose? Evaluate Your Portfolio for 2022

It’s a big question to ask. Think about your retirement accounts: Are they serving the purpose you intended? When you invest money, you do it for a reason. Every dollar you invest should have a purpose. For many retirees, the purpose of their retirement accounts is to support them during their retirement. It’s money they can rely on over a potentially 30-year period. But some people don’t look at the big picture. For example, you could divide your whole retirement portfolio into three main groups or income buckets: income, dividends, and growth (whatever is left over after filling the first two buckets). Each bucket has its own rules. Here’s what that looks like. The first group — “mad money” — is your liquid assets. It’s the money you have quick and easy access to. My mom called it “mad money,” and that stuck with me. This is money you can use for emergencies or anything else that might come up, from month to month. The amount of mad money you have is based on your specific needs to act as a buffer. It’s the money you keep in your banking or savings account. You can also call it “sleep at night” money because it lets you rest easy since it’s there if you need it quickly.

More Income and Less Taxes in Retirement Seminar

Feb. 8 & 9 — 6:30 P.M. Camp Ticonderoga (Troy)

Feb. 15 & 17 — 6:30 P.M. Fifth Tavern (Clarkston)

Feb. 23 & 24 — 6:30 P.M. Filippas (Utica)

Register today at BridgeriverLLC.com! Free dinner provided.

Security and pensions. If you sell anything in this portfolio, you can usually expect your income to drop accordingly. Your portfolio is built on strategy and is, again, based on your needs. If you need more money, you can make the proper adjustments. The third group is what’s left over. Maybe you put that “extra” money into the stock market. This can serve you well if you don’t need access to that money. Especially if inflation kicks into high gear, the stock market works best for long-term investing. With its constant ups and downs, if you’re looking for quick investing, you should look elsewhere. Alternatively, you can also set up accounts to donate excess income to your favorite charities and get a nice deduction for doing so.

The second group is your income portfolio, which pays you dividends or income. In retirement, this is the money you live on above your Social

On the flip side, if your retirement accounts are not serving their purpose and you’re short on income, you may sit down with your investment professional or give me a call at 248.785.3734 to re-strategize your approach to retirement. We’ll help get you back on track and make sure that your accounts are indeed working for you.

-Dan Casey

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CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH YOUR LITTLE SWEETHEARTS

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults. Let your kids know they are the

construction paper and glitter. Your kids are sure to love getting mommy- made or daddy-made one-of-a-kind valentines. Bake Valentine’s Day goodies together. What’s better than baking with your little ones? If you are short on time, you can find premade dough, usually with a Valentine’s Day theme. Or, you can try out your skills with heart-shaped cookie cutters and sprinkles. It can get messy, but it’s certainly worth it! Wrap up a small Valentine’s Day gift. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day outfit, candy, a teddy bear, or a necklace, it doesn’t have to be big or costly! Your children will enjoy feeling the love, and they’ll be excited to get something new. Don’t forget to have fun with the wrapping! Most stores have Valentine’s Day gift bags and wrapping paper around this time of year.

most important loves in your life with these sweet, inexpensive ideas that the whole family can enjoy! Your children will remember these traditions for years to come.

Make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast. Guess what? Pink pancakes, pink milk, and even pink eggs are a thing! With strawberry milk, food coloring and strawberries in the pancakes, and food coloring in the eggs, you’ll have an effortless and special breakfast for the little ones. Tip: Set the table the night before after the kids go to bed to make serving Valentine’s Day breakfast easier the next morning. Create Valentine’s Day cards for each kid. Tell your children all of your favorite things about them with their own personalized cards. There are so many ways you can get crafty with

Your baby valentines have stolen your heart — make sure they know it by spreading the love! Happy Valentine’s Day!

BASED ON YOUR ZODIAC SIGN THE PERFECT BOOK GENRE

Scorpio Scorpios are mysterious and even take pleasure in being spooked. The chilling emotions that come along with a good horror book are enough to keep you hooked. Libra Libras enjoy balance and intellect and may enjoy finding the messages behind the lines of poetry or diving into literary fiction for an escape. Virgo If you are a Virgo, you’re probably very factual and analytical. A book that dishes out all the facts is sure to capture your attention, so give nonfiction a try! Leo Leos sometimes have a hard time revealing their true emotions, but they love a grand story. To tickle your fancy, a romance or high fantasy novel is a great choice. While our signs may not define us as individuals, it’s still fun to see if they have any accuracy in picking out a good read!

Zodiac signs — they tell us our moods, our values, our personality traits, and our best relationship partners. But what about our book genre choices? Whether you trust the astrology behind the Zodiac or scoff at it, you should give these picks a try!

2 www.BridgeriverLLC.com Cancer Cancers can be curious, compassionate, and extremely sensitive. They often spend time thinking about the past and might enjoy a good history read. Gemini Geminis are considered to be social creatures, so short story collections offer a great read. This way, you can pop in and out of the book as you please without compromising the story. Aries Notoriously, those born under the Aries sign are bold and ambitious. For a book that matches your ferocity, an action, adventure, or good drama would suit you the best. Taurus If you’re a Taurus, you rely on stability and likely have the patience to get through a classic novel. Alternately, a mystery is a great way to deviate from the norm and get some mayhem in your life!

Pisces If you’re a Pisces, you likely have a vivid imagination that can run away with itself

sometimes. Embrace that with a good fantasy or magical realism book for a bit of a dreamy escape. Aquarius Those who are an Aquarius are known to be innovative and independent thinkers. If this is you, science-fiction genres will hit the spot. Capricorn Capricorns are extremely realistic and strong- willed. Thus, true stories are usually a home run! If nonfiction doesn’t do it for you, feed your goal- oriented side and dive into some self-help books. Sagittarius Sagittarians love to have a good time and laugh, and you can never go wrong with a humorous novel. Or, if you’re feeling a little more serious, you can embrace your inner wanderer and opt for a book that involves adventure.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

COMBATING HAIR LOSS NATURALLY

Give aloe vera a try. Aloe vera has been used to treat hair loss by soothing and calming a damaged scalp. By applying aloe vera a few times a week, your scalp becomes a healthier environment for hair growth to take place. It can even reduce dandruff and oil that could be blocking your hair follicles and stunting hair growth. Believe in coconut oil. These days, it seems like everything can benefit from a little coconut oil — your hair is no exception. Coconut oil’s fatty acids help prevent protein loss within each strand of your hair, strengthening it from the inside. Depending on your hair type, coconut oil can be used before or after you wash your hair. Whisk up an egg hair mask. It sounds a little strange, but trust the process! An egg hair mask (raw egg and olive oil) works magic for your hair. Like coconut oil, eggs contain proteins that both strengthen and rebuild your hair. Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes and repeat again every week or so!

Our hair is beneficial for our confidence and appearance as well as our overall hygiene. But hormonal shifts, diet, and medical conditions can all lead to hair loss. While a doctor can help, there are a few ways to promote healthy and natural hair growth and regrowth while preventing hair loss. Massage your scalp. If your patience (and hairline) is wearing thin, take the time to massage your scalp every day. This rhythmic movement on your head increases blood flow to your hair follicles, which stimulates hair growth and can even improve your hair thickness and density.

Preventing and reversing hair loss takes diligence and consistency, and you won’t see results overnight. Any treatment you use may take a few weeks to take effect, but don’t lose hope! It is

possible to combat hair loss with these natural solutions, but if you find yourself stressed over your locks, try to stay positive and practice self- care to encourage optimal growth and regrowth.

HAVE A LAUGH

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com

Ingredients

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2 chicken breasts

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2 cloves garlic, chopped

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2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed

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1/2 tsp curry powder

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2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped

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1/2 tsp paprika

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4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

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Salt and pepper, to taste

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10 large basil leaves, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic.

4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!

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40900 WOODWARD AVE., STE. 305 BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304

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INSIDE This Issue Are You Retirement Accounts Serving Their Purpose?

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Kids

Best Book Genre Based on Your Zodiac

Natural Hair Loss Solutions

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

Health Benefits of Being in Love

THE POWER OF LOVE Love Really Can Be a Drug It’s crazy to think that being head over heels, madly in love with someone can benefit your body in the same way that broccoli can, but it’s true! Science has proven that being in love

immune system is stronger, making you less prone to getting a cold or stomach bug. Some research has even shown that happily married couples live longer than those who are not happily married. The hormone vasopressin helps to control your blood pressure. Being in love releases vasopressin into your body, keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level. Both your heart and lungs are also impacted by the love you have for another. If you aren’t in love, you can still reap the benefits through a strong and healthy social support system. When you have friends who bring you joy and happiness, even just a hug may help to release positive hormones and keep your health on track. Take time to invest in positive relationships to keep your heart and body healthy and happy, both literally and figuratively.

comes with myriad health benefits. Fewer colds and natural pain control? Yes, please!

Love triggers the “feel good” hormone, dopamine. When you first fall in love — and the butterflies are flying uncontrollably — dopamine is at very high levels, and mentally, you’re happy, healthy, and positive. As the relationship matures, oxytocin, also known as the bonding hormone, blends with dopamine and reduces stress. We all know that stress can lead to a number of health complications, so the less stress, the better! New research has found that just being around someone you love can act as a natural pain reliever. Research has also determined that married people complain less about headaches and back pain. When your mind is happy, your

So, what are you waiting for? Let the love flow!

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