Patriot Wealth - April 2022

Patriot Wealth - April 2022

APRIL 2022

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PATRIOT WEALTH

Reflecting On My Financial Roots

In honor of April being Financial Literacy month, it made me reminisce on my own financial journey. I grew up in a household where if we could do it ourselves, we always did. Whether it was helping dad at the rental properties pluck staples out of the floors in preparation to sand them or helping mom clean the grout of the tile kitchen floor with an old toothbrush. Both of these memories are ones I will never forget because boy did I have a blast (NOT!). Mom and Dad would always reward me with a token of their appreciation, usually in the form of $5 or $10. To a kid, $5 felt like striking gold! Sometimes on our way home they would offer to stop for ice cream or any other small treat — with one caveat. I had to pay for whatever I wanted. As a youngster, that choice was easy; who doesn’t love a good bowl of ice cream! Naturally, as I got older that ice cream became less and less enticing. I began to realize it took me 4 hours to earn $10 and half of it was gone in 5 minutes — not fair! That response was quickly followed with one of pops’ favorite sayings: “Welcome to the game of life.”

Looking back, this is just one example of how my parents slowly began to impart a few nuggets of financial wisdom on me. As the years progressed, the chores undoubtedly got more difficult. One summer when I was home from college, Dad had an itch to update the landscaping in the backyard. He wanted to completely take out all of the mulch in the flower beds around the pool and replace it with river rock. He said, “I will give

$500 with one stipulation: If you do not finish before the end of the summer, you get nothing.” I thought what the heck — I am a young man, this will be a piece of cake! Fast forward 3 months and I finished in the dark past 9 p.m. on the final night before I went back to school. All of the above contributed to my learning the value of a dollar and stoking my passion for financial planning! I am sure many of you are passing down these same values to your kids and grandkids, and I am here to encourage you to do so as I view it as a true blessing that I am eternally grateful for! Mom and Dad always reminded me that knowing what you DO NOT want to do in life is just as important as knowing what you DO want to do. I like to think they were letting me figure that out on my own with all the staple plucking, grout cleaning, and landscaping throughout the years! This Financial Literacy Month, I’m reminded why we teach our retirement course at NC State’s McKimmon Center ... “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest!”

–Austin Kobilka

These articles are designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. They are not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Please note that Patriot Wealth and its affiliates do not give legal or tax advice. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor or attorney. Investment Advisory Services is offered through Retirement Wealth Advisors (RWA), a Registered Investment Advisor. Patriot Wealth and RWA are not affiliated. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.

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Downsizing for the Better EVERYONE’S DOING IT!

packing into a few days. This process can take weeks — or even months — and that’s completely normal. You’ll want time set aside to go through everything room by room, one item at a time. CREATE ‘KEEP’ AND ‘TOSS’ PILES. When going through your belongings, create a pile for items you want to keep and items you want to either donate, give away, or throw away. While creating a maybe pile may feel worthwhile at the time, it will only end up leaving you with more clutter. Plus, indecision prolongs the process. GET RID OF DUPLICATES. You’ve collected a lot over the years. If you have two can openers, five sets of bed sheets, three cookie sheets, and an endless supply of spatulas, it’s time

to clear out the duplicates that you don’t need or use. Consider donating everything that’s in good condition — someone surely could make good use of it. TAKE TIME TO REMINISCE. There is fun to be had in sorting through old memories. Allow yourself time to stroll down memory lane. Welcome laughter, smiles, and tears. You can even invite your loved ones over to help and share in the stories as you pack up the items you hold dear. Don’t let decluttering and downsizing be a daunting task; take it one step at a time. Even if you aren’t moving anytime soon, it’s always a good idea to cut down on the amount of clutter you hang on to!

Whether you simply want to eliminate clutter or move to a smaller home now that the kids have moved out, downsizing has increased in popularity in recent years. But, if it’s your turn to downsize, you may find it challenging and unexpectedly emotional. Here are some tips to make the process easier. START EARLY. This process cannot be rushed and will not be a quick one, so don’t try to squeeze all of the preparation and

IT’S EASY TO BE ECO-FRIENDLY IN RALEIGH 3 Affordable Ways to Get Started

VOLUNTEER Consider donating your time rather than money to causes that support North Carolina conservation. You could create a workplace collaboration between your job and an environmental group, like EarthShare North Carolina, or volunteer for a local cleanup on a regular basis. If you don’t see a cleanup opportunity in your area, start one! You can make a big difference.

As we celebrate Earth Day this April, we all have an opportunity to make small changes to impact the planet. But this kind of commitment isn’t always accessible or affordable. Luckily for Raleigh, sustainability is kind of a lifestyle! We were ranked 10th in the nation for our efforts, according to the U.S. Cities Sustainable Development Report. This Earth Day, make it your personal mission to try one of these eco-friendly, Raleigh-based activities. SOURCE LOCALLY Take advantage of the North Carolina State Farmers Market, right here in Raleigh. The market is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers food, meat, and other products that are grown, raised, and made right in our state. This limits the carbon footprint of the products you choose to stock your

home. Plus, there’s no greater feeling than supporting your local producers. You can learn more about the State Farmers Market on Facebook. SIGN UP FOR COMPOSTING Composting can prevent about 650 pounds of natural food waste from entering landfills every year, according to Wake County. So, our county decided to make this possible. Every year, Wake County provides a compost bin sale, so residents in our region can turn their waste into valuable soil for just $50. This is half the price of the normal cost of these bins! And if you’re not a gardener, these bins still have value. Spread your composted soil in potted plants or donate it to friends, family, and local organizations like schools or community gardens. Visit WakeGov.com to learn more about the compost bin program.

Find more groups to support online at EnvironmentalGroups.us.

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Dubbed the “Smithsonian of the South,” Raleigh is the perfect spot for history buffs, artisans, and curious minds. In honor of World Museum Day this April, include a tour of some of Raleigh’s best museums on your must-do list! 3 CAN’T-MISS RALEIGH MUSEUMS Visit These Landmarks in April!

NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES When: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free Website: NaturalSciences.org

Where else in the world can you see a live sloth, gaze at miraculously preserved dinosaur bones, and explore the desolate landscapes of space for free?

TAKE A BREAK

Those are just some of the perks that make the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences one of the top museums in our region. The museum includes exhibits on weather patterns, land animals, space, oceans, and other specialty topics. The best part is that if you have visited the museum, there’s always something new to explore! Plan your trip online. MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM When: Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Pecan Cream Pie Inspired by MyRecipes.com

Admission: $9 or $4.50 after 3 p.m. Website: MarblesKidsMuseum.org

Take the grandchildren on an adventure they won’t forget! Marbles Kids Museum is devoted solely to play and learning, teaching kids about daily living, money, our rivers and oceans, and so much more. Children are encouraged to play while learning with interactive exhibits, games, and experiences. As a bonus, there is one attraction all ages will love: the IMAX theater. Showing new theatrical classics, the IMAX theater is a unique way to take in a show. Learn more online!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 9-inch uncooked pie crust • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

• 2 8-oz bars of cream cheese, softened • 1/2 cup light brown sugar • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided

CAM RALEIGH When: Saturday and Sunday from 12–5 p.m. Admission: Free Website: CAMRaleigh.org

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook pie crust according to package instructions. 2. In a small bowl, combine heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. Beat for several minutes with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. 3. In a separate larger bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Beat together until combined and creamy. 4. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture and stir together until combined. Stir in 1 cup of chopped pecans. 5. With a spatula, spread mixture into the baked and cooled pie crust. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top of the pie. 6. Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Explore great works of art that meld the mind and explore many mediums at CAM Raleigh. Focusing on contemporary art, CAM Raleigh is full of unique emotions, bold colors, and transformative displays. Each visit to the museum provides greater insight into expression, and you’re sure to have a serious debate among your friends as to which piece you liked most! CAM Raleigh focuses on living artists and does not collect any works. Rather, the museum is a place to enjoy and appreciate modern art. Visit the museum’s website to learn more.

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PATRIOT WEALTH 4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave. #330 Raleigh, NC 27609 INSIDE THIS ISSUE A $5 Lesson From Dad PAGE 1 How to Make Downsizing Less Painful PAGE 2 Be Eco-Friendly Without Breaking the Bank PAGE 2 Take a Break PAGE 3 Pecan Cream Pie PAGE 3 Why We’re the ‘Smithsonian of the South’ PAGE 3 Lawn Care Hacks You Need This Spring PAGE 4

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HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LAWN WITH LESS WORK Greener Pastures

MOW SMARTER, NOT HARDER. For most people, mowing is their most time-consuming outdoor maintenance task. Since you spend so much time on it, you need some hacks. First, don’t bag or rake your lawn clippings; use the mulch setting instead. It’s easier and better for your lawn. Second, if you mow in rows, it’s time to switch up your routine. Instead, work in a spiral, starting at the edges of the lawn and working inward. You’ll save both time and energy when you don’t have to wrestle the mower into sharp 180-degree turns. Love it or hate it, lawn care needs to get done. These tips will help you get the process finished quicker, so you can get back to doing the things you love — whether that’s watching TV or planting even more flowers.

As we head into spring, it’s time to fire up the mower and break out your hedging shears. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you want your yardwork to take all day. If you’d rather be doing anything else, these tips will help you put away your gardening gloves all that much faster. And if maintaining the lawn and garden is your Zen time, they’ll give you time for new projects to beautify your home. VANQUISH WEEDS NATURALLY. Dandelions are ugly, but weedkillers are pricey and bad for the environment. If you’re battling weeds, attack them naturally with a pot of boiling water. The heat will kill the plants instantly, so this tip works best for isolated weeds growing between cracks in the pavement. If you’re planting your

garden, lay down old newspaper before mulching. It will prevent weeds from popping up, and the separate sheets make it easier to work with than landscaping fabric. MAKE WATERING EASIER. If you want a lush lawn and garden, watering is essential. But doing it too frequently can be wasteful — and that’s if you manage to remember. Try only watering your lawn twice a week, but for lengthier periods. About 20 minutes should do the trick, and you’ll save water overall. Meanwhile, if you struggle to remember to water the garden, automate the process cheaply. Take water bottles, poke two or three holes in the cap with a needle, and bury them upside-down around your plants. The slow trickle will keep them watered for a week or more.

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