Take a look at our June newsletter!
JUNE 2025
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The Ripple of Return A PATH TO ‘PAY IT FORWARD’
If you want a reminder of the power of kindness, look no further than a coffeehouse in Canada.
days, our inherent goodness as people will always be our most common ground.
We’re all familiar with “paying it forward,” but few examples drive home the point more than what happened at a Tim Hortons in Winnipeg on Christmas Day, 2012. The person at the front of the line decided to pay for the coffee of the person behind them. This was undoubtedly a kind gesture, but it’s far from the end of the story. The following person did the same thing for the person behind them, and so on. The trend continued for about three hours, with more than 220 consecutive customer orders paid for by the previous person. This random event is a heartwarming holiday story and a reminder that doing simple positive things for others never goes out of season. I’ve been thinking a lot about that Tim Hortons story lately, as Worldwide Day of Giving is on June 15. I’ve certainly been on the receiving end of a “pay-it-forward” act before in the Starbucks drive-thru, and I suspect you’ve had a similar experience as well. Those random acts of kindness often come out of nowhere and go a long way toward making us feel good, especially when we can do the same thing for someone else. There’s even a biological component to generosity, as studies suggest that paying it forward can boost our mood and lower our stress levels. Being kind to someone doesn’t take much, but the positive effects often last far beyond that momentary act of generosity. Here at home, it wasn’t that long ago when we saw Hurricane Helene rip through the western part of the state. Almost immediately, communities came together and chipped in to help others get through their days and rebuild. As much as we’re tempted to focus on our differences these
Recently, Austin and I had a layover while flying back from an industry conference. While grabbing a bite to eat, we struck up a conversation with an older gentleman who was sitting alone next to us. He soon began sharing stories and perspectives about his experiences as a war veteran and grandfather. His wisdom fascinated and impacted us, and we were both moved by this chance encounter in an airport restaurant. On the way out, we asked our server to put his meal on our tab. He was grateful for the free meal, but we were equally thankful to have had the experience of meeting and sharing a few words with him. We also see “pay it forward” in action daily at Patriot Wealth, as many clients opt for qualified charitable distributions through their IRAs. This nontaxable arrangement helps clients reduce their taxes while supporting charities that matter to them. At the end of the day, it’s another way for people to extend “paying it forward” on a grander scale. Please contact us if you’d like more information on taking your finances in this direction. Whether you pay for someone’s latte or help them restructure their land after a natural disaster, they’re not likely to forget how good that gesture felt. The more we do good things for others, the wider the ripple. It’s amazing how little is necessary to make someone smile. All we need to do is make an effort, however small, to give of ourselves as often as possible and remember that we’re never too busy to brighten someone’s day. –Wes White
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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’20s-themed party? Plan your theme and the perfect menu of drinks, appetizers, and entrees to match. Next, pick out your summer guest squad and invite them at least a month in advance to give them ample notice. Ideally, you want to keep the guest list to about 15 people, mixing in long-time friends and new acquaintances to keep the conversations lively and the party manageable. MIX, MINGLE, MOVE AROUND Set up an inviting scene with cute cocktail glasses, festive decorations, and different seating options that encourage guests to mingle and have fun. Clear space for a makeshift dance floor, and provide snacks at every little grouping of comfy chairs to entice guests to nosh while they chat. Having an attractive and central bar area can set the party’s mood. You can go all out and hire someone to handle a full bar, create a drink station in the kitchen, or set up a DIY bar cart with recipes and all the ingredients for your friends to be their own bartenders. SHAKE UP CONVERSATIONS No celebration is complete without engaging conversation and entertainment. Help your guests get to know each other by putting out fun icebreaker questions on the tables or serving each drink with one. This will get people to open up, laugh, and make new friends (the ultimate party favor). You could also come up with some fun games that encourage a little goofiness, like charades, a board game, or your very own talent show.
Ready to shake or stir things up this summer? Grab your martini glasses because there’s nothing like a summertime soiree. Whether mixing it up with a tropical tiki night, pouring classy spritzers in the garden, or sipping something cool at a poolside bash, hosting a summer cocktail party is the perfect way to serve up flavor and fun. Get ready to be the host or hostess with the mostest with these delicious tips (and sips) to throw the ultimate party this summer! PERFECT PARTY FORMULA Do you want to keep things casual with familiar beers and classic finger foods, or do you want to see your friends in their best “Great Gatsby” attire sipping on a sidecar for a roaring Sip, Sip, Hooray! YOUR PERFECT SUMMER SOIREE FORMULA
Dodge the Wallet Waves
SWEAT-FREE SAVINGS FOR SUMMER
In the excitement of getting out and enjoying great weather and everything else this time of year offers, many people easily lose sight of wise spending. Here are four quick hacks to beat the money blues at the beach or on the road. BYPASS BIG BRANDS. If summer typically leads to a fuller fridge or pantry than usual, stick to store-brand items instead of splurging on the big names at the store. In addition to often providing the same quality as their big-name competitors, store brands offer small savings that can greatly benefit your finances over time. BRING THE RESTAURANT TO YOU. Summer is a great time to hit restaurants for family meals or get- togethers with friends, and an easy way to diminish your dollars through
high-priced meals. Instead of bringing a group to your favorite eatery, host a backyard meal or party at home instead. You have more control over the quality of the dishes, can make your budget last longer, and avoid the crowds — all without needing to leave a tip. REEVALUATE YOUR ON-ROAD DIET. Whether you need gas or a quick meal on the go, few sights are more welcome during lengthy highway travel than a rest area. However, these seemingly convenient spots — created with captive audiences in mind — typically sell goods at markups you wouldn’t
the way instead of pulling over and giving your wallet a ride.
PREPARE FOR YEAR-END PRESENTS. We’re already halfway through 2025, which means another holiday season will be here before we know it. If you experienced a financial crunch last December, save a little each paycheck now to save up for end-of-year spending. Even $50 saved per paycheck can add up to better flexibility come December, and that figure may already be feasible just by following some of the earlier tips in this article. You may be amazed at how skipping just one restaurant visit with your
imagine paying under any other circumstance. If you anticipate being on the road for several hours, it may be smarter to pack homemade meals you can eat on
significant other every two weeks will lead to a windfall by December, and less shock on your credit card bill in January.
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As you read this article, someone is spending more money than you’ll make in a lifetime on something silly. Famous Faces, Financial Fiascos WILD SPENDING BY THE WEALTHY Extremely wealthy people are often viewed as being wiser with cash than the rest of us, but these three tales of monetary misadventure prove that scale is the only difference between typical poor spending and the financial follies of the super-rich. PARIS’S POOCH PALACE There’s pampering your pets, and then there’s Paris Hilton’s jaw-dropping animal care. Sixteen years ago, she reportedly spent $325,000 on a dog house. What exactly did that kind of money provide her pooches? For starters, the structure was a miniature replica of her mansion. It was also thoroughly heated and air-conditioned, boasted a chandelier, and featured a closet to house the dogs’ outfits. If your dogs’ wardrobe and aesthetic needs aren’t as refined, you can still go big and opt for an extra-large insulated dog house for about $400 at Home Depot. BEZOS’ RARE BUST Speaking of pets, Jeff Bezos’ failed financial foray into the animal kingdom proves that even billionaires have bad days. In the late ‘90s, the Amazon founder tested his luck in online ventures by funding part of the pet retailer Pets.com. Despite Bezos’ high-profile support, the site tanked within 18 months largely because it sold pet supplies that customers could easily purchase at the nearest supermarket instead of waiting for them to arrive in the mail. Fortunately, he had his other online shopping enterprise to fall back on.
TAKE A BREAK
No-Bake Icebox Cake Inspired by AllRecipes.com
INGREDIENTS • 3 cups heavy cream • 1/3 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 (9-oz) package chocolate wafer cookies • 1/2 cup chocolate
DIRECTIONS 1. Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing it to hang over the sides. 2. In a mixing bowl, whip cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. 3. Spread a small amount of whipped cream in the loaf pan and layer cookies in a single layer on top.
shavings or cocoa powder (optional)
4. Continue layering
whipped cream and cookies, finishing with cream on top. 5. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, until cookies soften. 6. To serve, uncover and invert on a plate. Dust
TRUMP’S GILDED GLIDE Five years before being elected to his first term as leader of the free world, President Donald Trump made his headline- grabbing activities as one of the world’s most flamboyant spenders reach for the sky. After dropping $100 million on a personal jet in 2011, he decided his purchase could benefit from a more grandiose interior. Before long, he paid even more money to have the jet equipped with 24-karat gold bathroom fixtures and seatbelt buckles. Whether the avid fast-food connoisseur also had gold-plated waste baskets installed for his McDonald’s wrappers is unknown.
with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder, if desired.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Compassion in Circulation PAGE 1
Pop the Bubbly, It’s Party Time! PAGE 2
Fun Meets Frugality PAGE 2 No-Bake Icebox Cake PAGE 3
Money Mistakes of the Mighty PAGE 3
Mãori Culture and More: Discover the Magic of New Zealand PAGE 4
Savoring the Off-Season Joys of New Zealand Winter Down Under
Few cultural celebrations capture a crowd’s attention faster than an explosive rendition of a Mãori war dance by a New Zealand sports team. The world’s growing fascination with Mãori culture is one reason travel to New Zealand is soaring, boosting annual tourism spending by nearly 15% last year. While it’s winter there now, the island nation still offers many off-season attractions for the savvy traveler — including the June 19–22 celebration of Matariki, the Mãori New Year. Here are a few others. SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING June through October is peak season on New Zealand’s world-class skiing and snowboarding hills. Book accommodations in popular winter sports areas on the South Island, such as Queenstown and Wanaka.
Warm up après-ski with a pint of one of New Zealand’s famous craft beers. Hundreds of the nation’s diverse brews will be displayed at Beervana, a popular two-day festival on Aug. 22–23 in Wellington. EXPLORING COASTAL TRAILS Hiking through New Zealand’s stunning coastline and ancient forests — or tramping, as the locals call it — is a major attraction. Many of New Zealand’s Great Walks are on alpine or subalpine tracks and are impassable in winter. But the country’s most popular Great Walk, the Abel Tasman Coast Track, extends 37 miles one way across warmer terrain, past golden beaches and lush native vegetation. This trek offers ample
opportunity to enjoy some of the many exotic birds of New Zealand, home to more avian species than any other country in the world. NATURE SHOWS Nearly half of the world’s whale species are in New Zealand’s vast marine territory. Giant sperm whales can be seen year-round, and humpback and southern right whales are visible from shore from May through September. If you’re a fan of nighttime lights, stargazing at such celebrated dark- sky sites as Great Barrier Island and Mackenzie Region on South Island will amaze you. And for a different kind of evening light, try touring New Zealand’s caves or grottos for a glimpse of exotic glow worms, a native insect that glows blue-green in the dark!
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