Helping you live the best life possible with the money you have!

July 2020

Dear Readers,

Happy summer solstice! We hope you've been having a good summer despite 2020 making an early run for Worst Year of the Century. Since lockdown began, we've been trying to find ways to keep busy. Lots of our clients have told us that they are spending more time in their gardens - are you growing anything fun this year?

Above: various squash from our garden. You can see the pumpkins beginning to overgrow everything. And we made a scarecrow with Jane's old clothes "to scare away the slugs." I bet they are terrified. 

Natural Bridges Blog Posts

Summer Plans Ruined? Tips to Get Away in Your Own Backyard

I know, I know. I was supposed to be in Mexico with my mom right now. Although it’s disappointing to put off a vacation or big family party you’ve been planning forever, there are still recreational options that will get your family outside safely. 

Working From Home: Understanding Home Office Deductions

Hoping for a home office tax deduction while you work remotely because of the pandemic? Learn all about this tax policy before you take action.

Roth Conversions: What You Need to Know

While you may have chosen to save using a traditional IRA, you do have the option to switch to tax-free retirement income. Who should consider a Roth conversion, and who should stay away?

How to Live Well Together With Your Partner in Retirement

You can't live without your spouse... but will living together in retirement drive you crazy? Make sure that your retirement goes smoothly by taking these things into consideration.

Natural Bridges Personal Updates

Above: Sorting all of our 300+ refrigerator magnets into an elaborate Venn diagram on the floor. Jane decided she wanted to sort her magnets, too. What have you accomplished during quarantine?

PSA: The Dangers of Horses, Trees, and Yogurt

Anabel fell off of her horse and managed not to break anything, though she did get the wind knocked out of her. She is currently reading 1984 since apparently the real world isn't dystopian enough for her.

While having a delicious yogurt cup for lunch, Moana broke a crown. On yogurt! Is NOTHING safe anymore? She also celebrated her 36th birthday lockdown style - she normally goes camping with her family, but this year her husband got her a fire pit as a present so that she could at least set something on fire. She also received a succulent plant from Anabel and Chris for her desk, and fancy socks with a "books and cats" theme - aw, you guys know me too well!

Chris has been riding his bike up into UCSC, where nature has decided to reclaim the empty campus, with deer and coyote sightings every morning. He has also been doing social distance visits with the grandkids. 

In Felton, a giant tree fell down directly on the stop sign at our corner, pounding it halfway into the ground. The whole neighborhood came out and hung out for a while to watch the tree, since we all have nothing better to do in a pandemic.

And look who's a MASTER OF FINANCIAL PLANNING! Our very own Anabel! And it's all written up in a fancy font, so you know it's legit:

Take care of yourselves, and remember to watch out for the following dangers that the NBFA team has encountered just over the past year:

• Horses
• Falling Trees
• Horses Getting Spooked by Falling Trees
• Exercise
• Mosquitoes
• Spiders Jumping out of a Webcam
• Timing the Market
• Blood Drives
• Riding a Bike Over Railroad Tracks
• Global Pandemics
• Yogurt

It's a crazy world out there, everybody - STAY SAFE!!

Much love,

Moana & the Natural Bridges Team

P.S. If you know anyone who thinks they have a magnet collection, send them this newsletter and tell them I challenge them to a magnet duel.