Take a look at our April newsletter!
APRIL 2023
PATRIOTWEALTHNC.COM PHONE | 919.322.4113
PATRIOT WEALTH
CELEBRATING MY ENGAGEMENT The Next Big Step
March 22 was a very important day in my life; the day Bridgette and I got engaged! I rented a house nestled in the Riceville Valley right outside of Asheville, NC, where I proposed and both of our parents joined us for the special occasion. I’m glad (and relieved) to report she said “yes,” and we all had a wonderful celebration together. Having our parents present for the proposal was important because they’ve been a guiding light in our relationship. Bridgette and I are both very close with not only our own parents but each other’s as well. Both of our parents have been wonderful examples of all the hardwork a true relationship really is! 30+ years of marriage are in the books for both of them. Thank you both for your enduring love, support and wonderful example of what a loving relationship looks like. Bridgette and I have been together for almost eight years. We met in High Point when we were both in our first year at High Point University. We dated for the rest of college and
Our engagement further solidifies our commitment to one another, a step I could not be more excited to
take. Since we began dating we have lived together, bought a house together, and heck even added our 1st furry little member to the family, our golden retriever puppy, Sonny! We haven’t set a wedding date yet, and we both like to plan to a fault. But I hope it won’t be too long until the big day. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of our lives together and excited to grow our family beyond Bridgette, Sonny, and me. Bridgette has a niece and nephew, Arabella (6) and Harry (2), and we’ve found a lot of fulfillment in watching them grow up so far. Seeing the different stages of their lives has reaffirmed our love of children and helped us craft a vision for our future family. Bridgette and I are both enthusiastic about having children. Frankly, neither of us can imagine our lives or marriage without them. Of course, raising a family will come with challenges, but bringing new life into the world feels like such a blessing, and we hope to get to experience that blessing in the future! I feel incredibly grateful to have Bridgette in my life! As the old saying goes, “Behind every great man is an even better woman.” That is certainly true for me! Loving you is one of the greatest privileges of my life; know that whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them together. Cheers!
moved to Raleigh together in 2018. Most of our friends from school headed to big cities like New York or Philadelphia. But we both grew up in the Northeast (me in Pennsylvania and her in New Jersey), and we had no desire to return after experiencing
–Austin Kobilka
the weather in North Carolina.
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.
PATRIOT WEALTH | 919.322.4113 | P1
Introducing ‘Infladating’ NORMALIZING A CHEAP DATE
HAVE DINNER IN. Ordering takeout and cuddling up on the couch under a fuzzy blanket while watching a movie is a great way to bond and learn more about each other — not to mention it’s romantic! You can pause the movie for bathroom and ice cream breaks, too! GO OUT FOR BREAKFAST. Instead of a dinner date, why not make it a breakfast date? It’s usually less expensive than dinner and is a great way to start the day. After all, who doesn’t love pancakes, bacon, and eggs? WATCH THE SUNSET. Head to the local park, beach, or lake to watch the sunset. It’s free, romantic, and simple. Even if you just hold hands and take in the views, it’s a great way to connect and relax.
VOLUNTEER TOGETHER. Volunteering is one of the best ways to help others and stay active in your community. It’s also a great way to learn about someone. It reveals their passions, strengths, beliefs, and skills. TAKE A HIKE. Spending time in nature is a great way to bond. Whether it’s a relaxing walk on a flat trail or breaking a sweat on a more challenging route, hiking in the great outdoors is a perfect date idea to unleash your adventurous side. You may even see beautiful wildflowers or wildlife. Infladating allows you to become more creative, intentional, and thoughtful with your date ideas! So, think more carefully about how you can get creative with your date ideas and save money at the same time!
Dating isn’t cheap! Dinner and a movie, along with the cost of gas, ride services, drinks, and flowers, can quickly burn a hole in your wallet, especially when you factor in inflation. Even though a steak or lobster dinner may be unrealistic during these uncertain times, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a date! It’s called “infladating,” a term coined by the Plenty of Fish dating app, and it aims to save you money on date night. To avoid going broke while searching for love, here are five financially savvy infladating options!
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
CELEBRATE NATIONAL FUN DAY AROUND RALEIGH April 1 is National Fun Day — no fooling! The most creative types can make a good time out of thin air, but the rest of us need some help and motivation, especially for keeping kids entertained. Fortunately, countless fun activities around Raleigh will leave the entire family smiling. Here are our top picks for your next excursion with your children or grandchildren.
MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh might be one of the most exciting destinations in the country for small children. Marbles’ founders believe that children grow and learn best through play, and they’ve created a delightful wonderland that will keep your kids moving and thinking. Children can get their hands dirty in the Sun Sprouts garden or make music through the Tree Tunes and Step Notes exhibits. Curious minds can also learn science in the Stemosphere, get a workout through Power-2-Play, and much more! Note that you must purchase advance tickets to visit, and they often sell out on weekends and holidays. Plan your trip by visiting MarblesKidsMuseum.org .
ALARA + ZANE Though it’s technically a clothing store, Alara + Zane is also much more. Their location near our office in North Hills hosts a 2,000-square-foot A+Z Play area for kids up to age 8. Kids can explore a lookout tower, slide, building blocks, and arts and crafts, among other attractions. The activities were crafted with kids’
FRANKIE’S FUN ZONE While our first two selections are best for families with young kids, Frankie’s Fun Zone is bound to be a hit for all ages. Though it’s hard to believe, a visit here will give you access to mini- golf, laser tag, an arcade, virtual reality gaming, and bumper cars all in one place. They also have rides and batting cages! Food and beverages are available
developmental needs in mind. The COVID-19- cautious can also book group or private play dates, and Alara + Zane is the ideal place to host a children’s birthday party. Meanwhile, adults can receive expert parenting lessons on-site. Visit AlaraZane.com to learn more and plan your trip!
for purchase, meaning you can spend hours here at a time. Frankie’s is an outing that small children and teens alike can enjoy. You might even leave them at home for an adult’s night out! Get the details about what’s on offer at Frankies.com .
P2 | PATRIOTWEALTHNC.COM
Don’t Break the Piggy Bank TEACH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT SAVING
The money habits we learn when we’re young can heavily influence our financial futures, so every adult is responsible for setting a good example for the children in their lives. April 22 is National Teach Children to Save Day, and grandparents can play a more prominent role in their grandchildren’s financial education than they realize. While the temptation to spoil the kids is strong, every grandparent also has the opportunity to be a role model. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally splurging on your grandchildren. But you don’t want to interfere with their parents’ rules about money, and it’s ideal if the treats you provide come with a lesson. Ensure you talk to your grandchildren about how adults earn money and why you have the resources to buy things they want. Kids should never view grandma or grandpa as a bottomless bank account. You don’t have to sit down for a big discussion to get your point across, in many cases, it’s better if you don’t. It’s easy to teach lessons through everyday activities, and they’ll be more memorable than a dry lecture. For example, take your grandkids grocery shopping, where you can teach them to compare prices and understand why you use coupons. You can also demonstrate the value of money by giving your grandchild a small amount, like $5, and helping them spend it at a garage sale. Many grandparents save for their grandchildren’s futures. Whether you open a 529 college savings plan or some other type of account for them, talk about why you’re doing it and how regular contributions will add up over time. When it’s finally time to withdraw that money, they’ll better understand where it came from and how they can build their own futures. As grandchildren get older, their grandparents can also serve as a voice of experience on debt. Many teens and young adults don’t understand how expensive using credit cards can be. You don’t need a perfect financial history to make an impact. A story about your youthful missteps can help your grandchildren understand the real-world implications of their actions. The patience and understanding built into many grandparent- grandchild relationships gives you an advantage in teaching crucial life lessons. Your gentle wisdom can complement their parents’ firmer tactics in money management and help create an adult ready for financial success.
TAKE A BREAK
Cod and Asparagus Bake Inspired by TasteOfHome.com This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
INGREDIENTS
• Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets
• 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes. DIRECTIONS
PATRIOT WEALTH | 919.322.4113 | P3
PATRIOT WEALTH 4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave. #330 Raleigh, NC 27609
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
PATRIOTWEALTHNC.COM PHONE | 919.322.4113
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Austin’s Big News! PAGE 1
New Trend Alert: ‘Infladating’ PAGE 2
Fun and Games Around Raleigh PAGE 2
Cod and Asparagus Bake PAGE 3
Be a Money Role Model PAGE 3
Let’s Go Fly a Kite! PAGE 4
3 EXPERT TIPS AND TRICKS Flying a kite is a quintessential spring activity, especially for children. But if you struggled to keep your kite in the air as a kid, you’re not alone. Fortunately, you can use a few simple tricks to significantly improve your skills — and help your child become the best kite-flier on the block.
FLY A KITE LIKE A PRO
enough to launch it into the sky. When it’s not windy enough for your kite to take flight, try a long-line launch by unspooling about 50 feet of string in a straight line and then taking off running. Remember that kite-flying simply won’t work on some days. If your kite keeps crashing tail first, it may indicate too little wind, while a head-first kite fall may mean too strong a breeze. Keep it tight. Launching your kite is usually the trickiest part of the process, but keeping it aloft isn’t always straightforward. To ensure your kite stays in the air, you must retain tension on the string — but not too much. It’s time to reel out some of the line when the kite begins to tug. But too much string can weigh down your kite and bring it back to earth. When your line starts to slack, slowly spool it in until it feels taut. Keep your eyes on your kite and your mind on the reel, and you’ll be flying like a pro in no time.
Find the right spot. Hopefully, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t fly kites near power lines. Flying it near trees and cars is also a bad idea. It’s best to have at least a quarter-mile open space around you for safety and the best wind conditions. Beaches, empty sports fields, and parks with wide open areas are the perfect places to get your kite airborne. Have the wind at your back. Literally! This position will allow you to watch your kite as it ascends into the air. On a sufficiently windy day, simply holding the kite up by its lowest point and letting go as you unspool your string will be
P4 | PATRIOTWEALTHNC.COM
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator