One Pro and One Con for a
Bucket Savings Strategy
Weekly Update - 04/17/18
The “bucket” savings strategy has been gaining traction in recent years, but is it right for you? The idea is simple: have three “buckets” of money where you save – one for now, one for soon, and one for later. Assets are then allocated to the buckets to help generate income before and during retirement. This holistic plan can take on today’s market challenges, while also meeting your immediate, short-term, and long-term needs. Below is one reason for – and against – having a bucket savings strategy.

PRO: It allows you to tap your assets, while still generating portfolio growth. Bucket strategies allow you to tap low-yield investments such as bonds without touching your stocks. That means you can stay invested in the stocks long-term and avoid reacting to gains or losses in the short-term. Plus, having liquid assets in a money market or savings account can delay the point where you need to dip into your retirement savings. Essentially, the longer you can live off of funds in “bucket one”, the longer your assets can grow.

CON: You must be disciplined about generating a set return. When your strategy looks to allocation instead of performance, you’ll have to pay close attention to how their buckets are structured – so you’re able to reach your necessary rate-of-return to meet your retirement goals. A bucket savings strategy can’t be “set-it-and-forget-it”; but instead must always carefully manage each bucket, rebalancing often to help offset risk. 1

Please note that a bucket savings strategy is not for every situation. If you’re thinking of bettering your own strategy, give us a call at 618-398-6861 and we’ll assist you in making the right decisions for your situation.
Quinoa with Veggies

Filling and flavorful, this plant-based recipe is great for either a side dish or for your entire meal! The veggies can also be changed to your liking.

Here’s what you’ll need:
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 3 cups water
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 green onions, chopped

Directions:
  1. In a saucepan, bring the quinoa, water, and 1 pinch of salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes. Once done, drain with strainer, and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and cook until the garlic softens, and the aroma mellows, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the red pepper, and corn; continue cooking until the pepper softens, about 5 minutes.
  4. Season with cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute more, then stir in the cooked quinoa and green onions. Serve hot or cold.

Recipe adapted from All Recipes 2
Try Putting Backspin on Your Ball

Have you ever hit a golf shot where your ball soars over the pin, only to draw back near the cup like magic? It’s a great feeling. Although you may not be able to make your ball “check-up” like the pros, practicing these simple steps can help you put backspin on your ball with greater effectiveness.

  1. For starters, most amateurs find it difficult to get enough height on their ball to achieve backspin, so it’s recommended you don’t try this with clubs longer than a 7-iron.
  2. Starting with your lob or sand wedge, put the ball towards your back foot (rather than in the center of your stance).
  3. Now, try to swing down on the ball, hitting the back of the ball first, then creating a divot in front of the ball after it’s initially struck.

Continue to practice this technique until your ball is consistently producing backspin. It’s not easy, but with enough practice, you can get your ball spinning back to the pin!

Tips adapted from Bill Herrfeldt | Golfweek 3
Use Basil to Boost Your Wellness

More commonly used as a flavor addition to some of your favorite recipes, basil has a number of surprisingly awesome benefits that can keep you looking great, healthy, and disease-free. Here’s 4 clear benefits to eating basil:

Basil contains anti-aging properties
Basil extract was shown to be effective at preventing harmful effects of aging; destroying destructive molecules in the delicate areas of the heart, brain, and liver.

It can help treat arthritis
In one study, basil was shown to reduce swellings by up to 73% in just 24 hours – posing a similar performance to the anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac.

Lowers the risk of diabetes
By reducing inflammation and circulating blood glucose levels, basil can be a protectant from diabetes development and other metabolic syndromes. Basil essential oils can also help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Cancer-fighting properties
Studies have proved basil leaves to contain phytochemicals, a natural anti-cancer agent that is able to kill cancerous cells, stop cancerous tumors from spreading, and more.

Tips adapted from 1 Million Health Tips 4
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This document is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. One should consult a legal or tax professional regarding their own personal situation. Any comments regarding safe and secure investments and guaranteed income streams refer only to fixed insurance products offered by an insurance company. They do not refer in any way to securities or investment advisory products. Fixed insurance and annuity product guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of the issuing company. Variable annuities are considered securities products and require one to have proper FINRA registrations, in addition to proper state insurance licensing, prior to selling or discussing such products.

1 https://money.usnews.com/investing/investing-101/articles/2017-11-10/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-bucket-savings-strategy
2 https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/163044/quinoa-with-veggies/?internalSource=streams&referringId=84&referringContentType=recipe%20hub&clickId=st_trending_s
3 http://golftips.golfweek.com/put-backspin-golf-ball-1437.html
4 http://www.1mhealthtips.com/basil-leaves-health-benefits-and-diseases-they-can-cure/