... CONTINUED FROM COVER
If you’ve gone shopping lately, you may have a hard time remembering what month it is. We barely survived ‘Summerween’ in June, only to face Thanksgiving sales this month and Christmas-themed sales after Labor Day, followed by “Black October” (moved up from Black Friday). Patient Shoppers Score Savings All Year Sit Tight, Save Big
If you’re planning home upgrades or a vehicle purchase, acting before year-end may secure these credits while they’re still available. STRATEGIC TIMING MATTERS With so many new deductions, credits, and income phase- outs, the order and timing of withdrawals, gifts, and income recognition will play a much larger role in effective retirement planning. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW? • Consider grouping charitable contributions or medical expenses in 2025 • Review whether Roth conversions or capital gains make more sense this year • Evaluate upcoming purchases or income events in light of phase-out thresholds • Schedule a time to review your 2025–2026 tax planning strategy We’ll work closely with clients to incorporate these updates into retirement income strategies and tax projections. If you’d like to discuss how the new rules may affect you, don’t hesitate to reach out. –Wes White
Welcome to the holiday creep.
Intent on grabbing customers early, retailers are stretching holiday seasons as long as possible. In keeping with the trend, Amazon doubled the length of its annual Prime Day in July to four days from two, suggesting the retailing giant may soon need to rename the event “Prime Week.” With all the scrambling of calendars, when can a frugal consumer get a real deal? Surprisingly, shoppers willing to wait may be able to snag better bargains than ever. Here’s why. Retailers are competing harder for a share of finite consumer spending. Many fear that waiting for customary sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday risks hitting consumers when they are already tapped out. Instead, they are pushing high-profit items early, giving consumers more time to shop. Bargain-hunters who see through this strategy have a lot to gain. The deepest price cuts will likely come on customary sales days, when panicky retailers that haven’t hit their sales targets offer their deepest discounts.
Summer Chickpea Salad Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
Here are a few periods when retailers’ promotions are most likely to really save you cash.
INGREDIENTS • 2 (15-oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • 2 ears grilled corn, kernels cut from the cob • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered • 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1 1/2 tbsp honey • 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed • 1 lime, zested and juiced
October: Halloween deals will be old news before the holiday is even over. Look for clearance sales on Halloween items, plus early deals on electronics and holiday toys.
Black Friday: This may be the best time to buy discounted TVs, laptops, appliances, gaming devices, and smart-home gear.
Cyber Monday: Look for sales on clothing, travel, and tech accessories. Consider using an app like ShopSavvy for new deals or Honey to receive notifications of price drops for targeted items. The Week Before New Year’s Day: This time of year, clothing, especially winter coats and other cold-weather gear, drops in price. Also, holiday decor and wrapping will be sold for as much as 90% off!
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onions, corn, tomatoes, basil, and chives. 2. Toss well with salt and pepper and set aside. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, add oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, lime juice, and zest. 4. Whisk until the mixture is warm and garlic begins sizzling. 5. Pour over the chickpea mixture and toss well to coat. 6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Remember, to the patient shopper go the spoils of a year of heavy discounting! Happy bargain-hunting!
PATRIOT WEALTH | 919.322.4113 | P3
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator