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

June 2020

Dear Readers,

At Natural Bridges, we stand with those who fight against racial inequality. Black Lives Matter.

Many of our clients are charitably inclined, and so we wanted to share a list of a few organizations currently supporting the black community to work against systemic racism:

Black Lives Matter
Racial Equity Organizations in Santa Cruz County
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
ACLU

The pain in our country right now is heartbreaking, but we are hopeful that these are growing pains – that we will emerge from this with a fairer justice system, a more equal society, and a more united and involved citizenry.

Interesting Articles 

We Have a Rare Opportunity to Create a Stronger, More Equitable Society

While this was written before the current protests, wealth inequality, sexism, and racism are inextricably linked. How can we fight against this inequity?

This Is What Uncertainty Feels Like

A really interesting article about the way we feel uncertainty.  "You can reason about probability and fat tails and uncertainty all you want, the same way you may accept — intellectually — that uncertainty is what allows for great startups to exist. But it is another thing entirely to act on what you understand."

Why the simple life is not just beautiful, it’s necessary

"The [pandemic] crisis highlights the deeply entrenched connections between the multiple dimensions of inequalities in society. Who can afford to risk an infection? Who gets to wear masks in public without a second thought about racial profiling? Who takes on childcare responsibilities when parents can work from home?"

Jack Bogle's "Enough"

It's been a little over a year since Jack Bogle died. He was the founder of Vanguard and brought index investing to the masses, saving ordinary people inordinate amounts of money while keeping little for himself. Here is a transcript of his graduation speech "Enough", which he later expanded into a book of the same name.

"Yes, our world already has quite enough guns, political platitudes, arrogance, disingenuousness, self interest, snobbishness, superficiality, war, and the certainty that God is on one side or the other. But it never has enough conscience, nor enough tolerance, idealism, justice, compassion, wisdom, humility, self-sacrifice for the greater good, integrity, courtesy, poetry, laughter, and generosity of substance and spirit. It is these elements that I urge you to carry into your careers, and remember that the great game of life is not about money; it is about doing your best to build the world anew."

Bogle did more for the average investor than anyone else in finance, and we remember him fondly today as we work to better ourselves and the world. If you haven't read his book Enough, I highly recommend it.

Natural Bridges Blog Posts

COVID-19: Are Your Business Losses Covered by Insurance?

For business owners, limiting coronavirus-related revenue losses is priority. Learn how your insurance policy fits into the picture.

What to Do When You Inherit an IRA

Whether you inherit an IRA from a spouse or non-spouse, there are important steps to execute as an heir and details to address along the way.

Start Your Retirement Business Now

History shows that it’s not only possible to start a great new company during challenging times, it might be ideal. So why wait? Here are 4 reasons why you should consider starting your retirement business now, even if you’re not ready to retire.

Natural Bridges Personal Updates

PSA: The Dangers of Exercise

While lifting weights in his garage with his son, Chris was hulking out doing a bench press – that’s the one where you lie down on a bench and raise a bar up and down with both arms. The bench, overly impressed with the sheer poundage of Chris’s dedication, decided to collapse beneath him, sending the bar down on Chris’s chest. He went to the ER and was released with a bruised sternum and the satisfaction of knowing that he lifted so much weight that he broke his exercise equipment. 

Here is a dramatic reenactment of the moment just before Chris's injury:

Anabel had her wisdom tooth taken out last week. She said that the procedure was "flawless" and that it only took ten minutes. However, she accidentally looked at the needle which was “HUGE” and said that was the only thing that hurt.

Moana recently volunteered at the new Felton library, weeding in the park. Weeds are much easier to pull when they're not in your own yard. While she is growing squash and pumpkins in her overgrown garden, her husband is growing a quarantine beard that just leveled up from "lumberjack" to "Viking." 

She also visited Hungry Valley with her family to ride dune buggies through the desert. There were all different colored poppies blooming, and dust devils that made the coronavirus masks turn out to be even more useful!

Jane shows off her kitten-themed COVID mask

Take care of yourselves, stay hydrated, and remember not to bench press too much weight! 

Much love,

Moana & the Natural Bridges Team

P.S. If you know anyone who would enjoy any of the articles in here, please feel free to forward on this newsletter!