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SEPTEMBER 2019
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PATRIOT WEALTH
FEELING A LITTLE UNCERTAIN ABOUT RETIREMENT?
YOU’RE FAR FROM ALONE
If we could boil down all we’ve learned while working with retirees over the last several decades into one lesson, it’s this: The transition from the 40-hour (or more) workweek to retirement is a lot easier said than done. If a person hasn’t quite reached the point in life where they need to start making plans for retirement, then there’s no way to fully understand the emotional complexities associated with the process. It’s something you have to experience firsthand. When you’ve been participating in the prototypical American work structure for the last several decades, the notion of leaving that routine cold turkey can leave you feeling more than uncertain about your future. While plenty of retirees feel excited about the prospect of no longer having to punch the time clock, many still fear the loss of their routine. Without that work structure, many worry about their finances or their health, or wonder how they will spend their free time. It’s almost akin to finding a new life purpose, especially in the U.S. where we are known as a country full of people who live to work. While these fears are a normal part of the transition into retirement, in our experience working with clients, we’ve found the only effective antidote is proper planning. When we meet with
clients who are in the planning process, we spend ample time discussing their values and how they like to spend their time, in addition to looking into their finances. Do they like to take road trips to visit grandchildren? Do they like to travel abroad? Do they like to play golf on the weekends? To us, knowing the answers to these questions is necessary in order to build a values-based financial plan that amalgamates the way clients wish to spend their time with a retirement plan that will last. Dan and Debbie are a couple we worked with recently to determine their values-based financial After both of them spent decades in the workforce, they were thrust into the exciting (and frightening) transition into retirement. After sitting down with Dan and Debbie to discuss their values and hopes for retirement, they shared the story of how they came to terms with the upcoming life change by taking a trip to the mountains. As you can see from the photo provided, they reached the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. There, they took a gigantic rock and threw it down the mountainside. To Dan and Debbie, this rock represented the plan and who graciously gave us permission to share their story.
stress, long hours, and rigid routine associated with working. By releasing this rock off the edge of Mount Mitchell, they were symbolically letting go of the previous chapter of their lives and embracing a new start. To us, it seems the perfect acknowledgment of the retirement transition in a physical way. By sharing Dan and Debbie’s story with you, we hope that it brings you some solace knowing that if you are experiencing some uncertainties about retirement, you are not alone. And, while we fully support the rock hurling method, be sure to mimic Dan and Debbie’s approach fully by setting aside time to build a retirement plan that incorporates your values. The prospect of retirement is certainly an exciting one, but it’s also a big change, and we want to help you make the most of it. –Wes White, Rick White, & Austin Kobilka
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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THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT THIS FALL
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
Have you ever wanted to experience the colors of a Boston fall while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors? Autumn leaves are a universally appreciated sign of the changing seasons, and there’s no better place to see those vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds on display than in one of America’s national parks. So, if you’ve got some free time this autumn, here are some parks worth seeing. While the maple, birch, and poplar trees of Acadia begin to change color in September, mid-October is the best time to witness autumn in full swing. The park is crisscrossed with unpaved trails that date back to a time of horse-drawn carriages, preserving an idyllic setting. If you want to see the colors in full ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE
effect, take a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, and watch the sun crest over the vibrant leaves. To fully experience fall in the Northeastern U.S., Acadia National Park is a must-see.
While the West might typically be associated with evergreen pines, the deciduous trees of the relatively small Grand Teton National Park pack a colorful punch starting around the third week of September. It’s also breeding season for elk in the area, and their high, eerie whistles can be heard in the evenings. Popular destinations in the park include the Christian Pond Loop and String Lake. Just because the weather is cooling down doesn’t mean you have to abandon your favorite national parks until next summer. The natural beauty of America can be experienced at any time of the year, so start planning your next autumn outdoor excursion!
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TENNESSEE AND NORTH CAROLINA
Further south, the autumn colors of the Smoky Mountains are no less breathtaking than those in the Northeast. This park offers many scenic lookout points accessible by car, so don’t worry about hoofing it into the forest if that’s not your thing. Park wherever you like and watch the warm colors of ancient maples, oaks, and cedars change before your eyes.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO THIS FALL? THESE LOCAL EVENTS ARE WORTH CHECKING OUT!
BAILACURA 2019 FUNDRAISING DANCE FESTIVAL When: Sept. 26–29; 6 p.m. Where: Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center This four-day, four-night dance festival harnesses the power and passion of Latin dance to raise money, awareness, and support for cancer research and patient care. You can purchase tickets to watch amazingly intricate dance performances by professionals for any one of the operating days/nights, or you can attend the formal Bailacura Gala. All proceeds go to cancer centers for research and treatment. To secure tickets, go to Bailacura.org. BED TURNING — QUILTS FROM THE MUSEUM COLLECTION When: Sept. 28; 1–3 p.m. Where: North Carolina Museum of History If you’re a wiz at crafting, you should head on down the North Carolina Museum of History for the rare chance to see the unusual and fragile quilts exhibit. Because these artifacts are not part of the current quilt exhibit, you’ll get to learn brand new stories about the quilts and their makers. For more information about this exhibit or to purchase tickets, call 919-814-7046.
One challenge many retirees all over the country are forced to consider is not only how they will spend their newfound free time but also where . Over the last several decades, all of us at Patriot Wealth have discovered that, while retirees from different states might be relocating, many of the clients we work with here in North Carolina are choosing to stay local. Our observations were corroborated by the Triad Business Journal just last year when they released a survey, which placed North Carolina in the top six “Best U.S. States to Retire.” If you’ve already made the decision to spend some (or all) of your retirement years in our great state, here are some exciting local events to look forward to this month!
5TH ANNUAL GROOVE IN THE GARDEN When: Sept. 21; 2–8 p.m. Where: Stephenson Amphitheatre & Raleigh Rose Garden at RLT
The fun-filled annual festival is a local favorite. Celebrating Raleigh’s homegrown music, this event features a total of eight live performances on two stages, local food trucks, drinks, a kids’ fun zone, and art vendors. What better way to celebrate the music created by fellow North Carolinians than by supporting them in a beautiful outdoor setting with tasty meals and libations! Go to RaleighLittleTheatre.org to secure your tickets!
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Whether you’re in the process of planning for retirement, in the middle of the transition, or looking for new hobbies now that you’ve been out of the workforce for several years, you may have considered making a retirement bucket list. Also known as a honey-do list, these catalogs are typically chock-full of exciting, and perhaps even thrilling, adventures people have always wanted to try but had to postpone due to lack of time, financial restrictions, family events, and/or work schedules. While retirees have been making these types of lists for decades as a way to enjoy their newfound freedom, some in the financial world are starting to suggest an alternative approach: creating a curiosity list instead. A curiosity list is different from a bucket list because rather than just planning a series of tasks or challenges you hope to complete, you brainstorm in order to find hobbies or experiences you’ve wanted to learn more about. Then, you spend an unquantifiable amount of energy exploring subjects on your list at an unspecified future date through several different means. For example, if you’ve always felt compelled to learn how to play the piano, you shouldn’t have to feel forced to take lessons or purchase the instrument. Approaching this desired hobby from a “curiosity angle” rather than a “bucket list” angle allows you to fulfill this curiosity through a number of methods with expectations or guilt. You could seek out local performances, you could sponsor a local band student, or you could make playlists filled the music of masters like Beethoven or Chopin. This isn’t to say that you can’t learn to play the instrument; it just means you allow yourself more time and freedom to explore the desire in various ways. The most important part of a curiosity list is that, by definition, it helps you transition out of the workday sentiment of crossing off task after task before you can go home at the end of the day. By forcing you to learn patience, a curiosity list teaches you the quintessence of retirement, which is “being” and not “doing.” See if you can set aside some time this month to create your very own curiosity list. If you need help coming up with ideas, you know who to call! IN WITH THE CURIOSITY LISTS! OUT WITH THE BUCKET LISTS!
CLASSIC APPLE CRISP
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by Food Network
Filling: • 5 lbs Granny Smith
Topping: • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp salt • 6 tbsp chilled butter, cut into pieces • 1/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour • 2 tbsp maple syrup • 1 tbsp lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. In a mixing bowl, mix all filling ingredients together. Transfer to individual serving ramekins. 3. In a different mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping. Mix in butter until it forms lumps roughly the size of a pea, then stir in pecans. Sprinkle topping over filling. 4. Bake for 35–40 minutes, let stand for 10 minutes, and serve.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How Dan and Debbie Embraced Their Next Chapter PAGE 1 The Vibrant Colors of America’s National Parks PAGE 2 Looking for Something Fun to Do This Fall? PAGE 2
Classic Apple Crisp PAGE 3
What Are You Most Curious About? PAGE 3
An Excursion in the Pennine Alps PAGE 4
AN ALPINE EXCURSION
TOUR MONTE ROSA
Nestled between Italy and Switzerland, Monte Rosa is the second highest peak in the Alps, making it one of the best views in either country and one of the more physically demanding ascents in the mountain range. In the late summer and early fall, tourists and locals alike tour Monte Rosa to pay their respects to the peak and to be challenged by the cross-country trek over the mountain.
them in advance to guarantee your bunk and a dinner of spaetzle or lasagna, depending on which country you’re in that night.
Unless you’re traveling with an experienced mountaineer, a guide is recommended for
touring Monte Rosa, even if you only plan to traverse a small section of the mountain. Weather can vary greatly and change quickly in this region, so you never know when you’ll encounter ice or snow, which can lower your visibility. Toward the top of the peak, you’ll even have an opportunity to cross a sprawling glacier, and having a guide will ensure you have the necessary equipment for a safe trip.
The full tour of the mountain is a nine-day journey that starts in Switzerland and crosses quickly over into Italy, winding its way through both countries before eventually returning trekkers to their starting point. The out-and-back path is the most popular route, though there are other ways to approach it. However you go, you’ll encounter massive glaciers, rigorous 1,000-meter ascents and descents, and breathtaking views that are sure to make this journey memorable.
On top of the spectacular views, you can expect a beautiful blend of cultures and an experience unlike any other on your tour of Monte Rosa. Plus, you may even get to see a few Swiss cows or mountain goats along the way!
For accommodations, opt for charming mountain huts to immerse yourself in the true Alpine experience. You can book
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