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APRIL 2026
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FINANCIAL CONNECTIONS THAT COUNT Conversations Beyond Clicks
You may have already texted or emailed multiple people today, but I bet you’ve never considered writing a letter and having it delivered on horseback. That’s how people who were far apart communicated this month in 1860, when the Pony Express was created to make communication more efficient. Clearly, a lot has changed in the last 166 years! These days, media and communication technology fit in the palm of our hands. When I go somewhere, I pull out my phone and set the GPS. When I need to check my portfolio, I pull out my phone. When I want to talk to my mom … well, you get the idea. Whether you’re 15 or 65, your daily life is driven by technologies we couldn’t have imagined 16 years ago, let alone 166. That said, I tend not to gravitate to social media and many of the other ways people connect in 2026, even at 30. Sure, it’s amazing to connect with someone in Germany when I’m sitting here in North Carolina, but there are plenty of downsides to using tech for everything . How many times have you gone out to dinner and seen an entire family staring down at their phones while sitting at the table? Technology can be wonderful, but it can also do more harm than good when it comes to true social connections. Based on my experiences speaking with the thousands of people I’ve met over the years doing this work, I know that money can be an emotional and deeply personal topic for many. A variety of factors can shape a person’s view of money, ranging from childhood memories to adult responsibilities. As such, there’s often a story behind every decision a client makes. In my opinion, it’s hard to get a real feel for the seriousness of a financial conversation
with someone unless you’re sitting across the table from them. Financial planning isn’t just about making money work for someone; it’s about
understanding that person’s joys, fears, concerns, and hopes. For me,
this is what I enjoy most about the work that I do. It is incredibly rewarding to hear about special milestones celebrated or vacations taken, in some small part, due to the work that we do. That emotional impact is hard to feel over an email or text. Of course, we still meet with clients over Zoom for various reasons, but we certainly value the in-person connection, especially during difficult moments. Unfortunately, life does not always go according to plan, often surprising us along the way with sadness, despair, frustration, or anxiety. It is in these moments that we take tremendous pride in being the beacon of light for clients, providing clarity when it is hard to find, and most importantly, simply listening. In an age of artificial intelligence (AI) “robo-advisors” and online content meant to shock rather than comfort, the human element of how we communicate is more critical than ever. The computers in our pockets help us manage our lives and keep our brains busy, but putting them aside for a real conversation can do wonders for our hearts.
– 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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HIDDEN WEALTH OR HIDDEN FEAR?
Why Expensive Possessions Feel Safer Than Investing
If you walk into someone’s home, you might spot signs of “hidden wealth”: luxury handbags carefully stored in boxes, rare sneakers never worn, shelves lined with collectibles, or stacks of cash tucked away “just in case.” For many people, owning expensive things feels like financial success. Investing, on the other hand, can feel abstract, risky, and out of reach. This contrast explains why many people hoard valuable items instead of letting their money grow through investments. Emotional security feels safer than financial logic. One major reason people hoard expensive possessions is emotional security. Tangible items offer reassurance because you can see, touch, and experience them. Investments don’t provide that comfort. Stocks and bonds fluctuate in value, and that uncertainty
can trigger anxiety. When fear enters the picture, people often choose what feels safe over what makes the most financial sense. The illusion of control comes into play. Owning high-value items creates a strong sense of control. You decide where they’re kept, how they’re used, and when (or if) they’re sold. Investing requires trusting systems, markets, and long-term trends you can’t fully control. For many, that lack of control is deeply uncomfortable and may lead them to cling to physical assets or cash instead. Identity and status play a larger role than we admit. Expensive possessions often double as identity markers. A rare watch, luxury car, or art piece is valuable and signals success, taste, and status. Selling those items to invest can feel like giving up a piece of who you are. This emotional
attachment can outweigh potential financial gains, even when holding onto the item isn’t the wisest move. Fear of loss outweighs desire for growth. Psychologically, people tend to fear losses more than they value gains. The idea of losing money in the market feels worse than the slow, invisible loss of inflation eating away at idle cash or stagnant assets. As a result, hoarding feels protective, even though it limits long-term growth. Safety can become a setback. Hoarding expensive things isn’t necessarily about greed; it’s about comfort, fear, and familiarity. But while possessions can preserve value, they rarely build wealth on their own. Financial resilience stems from balancing emotional security and strategic investing, and learning when to hold on and when to let money work harder for you.
Budget Blind Spots The Consequences of Quiet Costs
Could you use an extra $1,800? The truth is that you probably already have it but are letting it all slip through the cracks. Financial analysts estimate that the average U.S. household spends $1,800 annually on items rarely considered in monthly or long- term budgets. These surprising money leaks range from seemingly inconsequential purchases to significant monthly payments they could avoid. Here are two pointers to help keep an extra $150 monthly without much effort or sacrifice. The ‘little things’ are never little. If you’re like most people, you’ve created a monthly budget that reflects your recurring bills and other regular expenses. But what about the gum you bought last Thursday, the ATM fee you were charged the last time you made a withdrawal, or that large coffee you picked up in the drive-thru on the way home the other day? For an accurate picture of what you spend, try tracking every time you reach for your
wallet or make an automatic payment over 30 days. Doing so will help you identify surprising spending patterns that may be draining more funds than necessary. ‘Low’ payments may lead to long-term losses. Barring medical expenses, your car payment may be second only to your rent or mortgage as your most significant monthly expense. When purchasing a vehicle, it’s best to look beyond what may seem like an “affordable” monthly payment and instead focus on the long-term costs of financing. Consider that vehicles lose up to 30% of their value simply by being driven off the dealership lot. Will you end up paying more for the vehicle than it’s worth? The monthly payment may seem manageable, but it doesn’t mean you won’t lose money over the life of the loan. The extra money you’re looking for may not be a raise or an investment; it could be hidden in spending habits you can change today!
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Successful investments are based on strategy, not the size of your upfront commitment. Even the smallest investments can yield unimaginable profits. These three examples from the business world prove that a modest budget and a dream are often all you need to build a financial empire. THE MODEST MONEY THAT BUILT MASSIVE EMPIRES Small Stakes, Billion- Dollar Breakthroughs
Company: UPS Initial Investment: $100 Current Annual Revenue: Nearly $100 Billion
UPS stands today as the world’s largest delivery enterprise, but its beginnings were the very definition of humble. Back in 1907, two intrepid messenger boys, Claude Ryan and James Casey, borrowed $100 ($3,300 in today’s money) to launch their own venture, the American Messenger Company. Still in their teens, the duo began their business by delivering parcels on bicycles or on foot. The following year, they acquired their first truck. They added more trucks as the company grew, and they chose the vehicles’ trademark brown color to help mask dirt. In 1919, it rebranded as the United Parcel Service. Now, nearly 120 years later, the company boasts an annual revenue of approximately $100 billion as of December 2025.
TAKE A BREAK
Company: Domino’s Initial Investment: $75 Annual Revenue: Nearly $4 Billion
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp extra- virgin olive oil • 5 small carrots, thinly sliced • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1/4 tsp salt • 9 cups reduced- sodium chicken broth • 4 cups cooked shredded chicken • 12 oz fresh baby spinach • 3 tbsp white miso • 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion CHICKEN MISO SPINACH SOUP
Americans love pizza, and few people have embraced this fact more profitably than Tom and James Monaghan. In 1960, the brothers opened DomiNick’s in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on a $900 loan (around $10,000 today) and a meager $75 down payment. After selling his car, Tom bought out James and renamed the business Domino’s. After 66 years in business, Domino’s stands as the top pizza chain in the U.S., raking in approximately $4 billion in annual revenue.
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the oil. 2. Add carrots and onion and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Stir in garlic and salt and cook 1 minute. 4. Add broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. 5. Stir in chicken; cook 2 minutes. 6. Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted. Remove pot from heat. 7. In a small bowl, stir 1/4 cup hot broth into miso until dissolved, then return mixture to pot. 8. Divide soup into bowls and top with scallions.
Company: Amazon Investment: $245,573 Current Revenue: $700+ Billion
A six-figure investment may not be considered “small,” but Amazon’s Jeff Bezos deserves recognition for what he was able to build from that figure. While still operating a modest bookseller out of his basement in 1995, he convinced his parents to invest $245,573 to help him grow his modest business. Bezos admitted at the time that the move was a gamble likely to fail, but his risk paid off. As of late 2025, Amazon pulled in more than $700 billion in annual revenue.
Inspired by EatingWell.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Technology, Trust, and True Togetherness PAGE 1 Emotional Comfort Often Wins Over Smart Investing PAGE 2
Deceptive Dollar Drains PAGE 2 Chicken Miso Spinach Soup PAGE 3
From Minimal Means to Market Mastery PAGE 3 Embracing the Gift of Time After the Kids Fly PAGE 4
The Joy of Rediscovering Yourself After the Kids Leave WHEN THE NEST EMPTIES, LIFE OPENS
When kids leave the nest, the house feels different. Things are quieter, calmer, and suddenly full of possibility. The hours that once revolved around school schedules, sports practices, and family dinners are now wide open. This is your chance to reconnect with hobbies you may have loved once, or explore brand- new ones, without interruptions or guilt. Creative passions resurface. Creative hobbies can flourish when the house is your own again. Painting, writing, photography, or even learning to play
an instrument become more enjoyable when you don’t have to squeeze them into stolen moments. You can leave your supplies out, lose track of time, and enjoy the process without worrying about being needed every five minutes. Movement becomes on your own terms. Fitness looks different without kids at home, and that’s a good thing. Maybe you finally have time for long morning walks, yoga classes, pickleball, or cycling without coordinating drop-offs. You can exercise when it feels right, not when it fits between obligations. Movement becomes something you look forward to, not something you rush through. Travel is possible without compromise. One of the greatest joys of an empty nest is the freedom to travel spontaneously. Weekend getaways, off-season trips, and longer adventures become easier when you’re only
planning for yourself (or with a partner). Whether it’s exploring a new city, taking a scenic road trip, or revisiting a favorite destination, travel without kids feels more relaxed and deeply rewarding. Learning shifts to ‘just because.’ With fewer responsibilities at home, learning becomes a pleasure instead of another task. Cooking classes, language lessons, book clubs, or history courses offer mental stimulation and social connection. It’s energizing to learn simply because you’re curious, with no expectations attached. Giving back finds purpose. Many empty nesters find fulfillment in volunteering. Helping at an animal shelter, mentoring, or supporting local causes offers structure and meaning while still leaving room for personal freedom. Giving back becomes a choice, not an obligation.
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