Take a look at our July newsletter!
JULY 2025
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FREEDOM OVER FORTUNE Simple Steps to a Richer Life
True wealth and independence have little to do with how much money you accumulate.
truly independent, we must also be balanced — maintaining focus on mental, physical, and emotional well-being in connection with the financial. I can’t tell you how many conversations we have with clients who grapple with the added stress and physical and mental tolls of caring for adult parents or who don’t have a clear idea of how they will ultimately enjoy their golden years. In the latter situation, they tend to focus on the countdown to hanging up their careers and not on the new paths they’ll follow once that day finally comes. Sure, it’s nice to think about everything you’re retiring from, but what about the things you’re retiring to? This question isn’t always easy for people to answer, especially because so many wrap up their identities in their work. Considering how you’ll bring joy and fulfillment to your post-retirement years is as critical as your plan to get to that last day of your career. Financial wealth is a wonderful tool, but oftentimes we forget it’s just that — a tool. A tool that allows us to enjoy life in whatever fashion we wish, with whomever we wish, and most importantly, whenever we wish. Of course, none of these words would mean much if I didn’t practice what I preached. The summers are beautiful here, so I use this time of year to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Whether I’m playing golf or simply going for a nice walk in the park or downtown with my wife, Bridgette, I do what I can to balance my commitments, work, and my obligations to myself and those I love. Bridgette and I can become very busy if we’re not careful, so we make it a point to sync up and spend time together every week or two without distractions. We plan and spend this special time together pretty religiously, and it’s helped us stay fresh and focused on
Now, you may be wondering why the above statement leads off a newsletter by a financial advisor, but I hope you’ll hang in there with me in this article. With July being when we celebrate the spirit of independence that drives the American spirit, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be free.
The short answer: It’s not what you may think.
“Independence” is a big word for a financial planner, as it’s the goal any good one should strive to provide their clients. Our clients often gain and maintain financial independence by increasing their income, having the right insurance in place, establishing appropriate estate planning, and focusing on taxes and distributions. Naturally, we’re here to help them achieve these goals, but I’ve never believed the size of your accounts alone is the key to long-term fulfillment. To remain
“Financial wealth and security are far from the only pieces of the puzzle. Your health and peace of mind matter, too.”
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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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COST-CONSCIOUS CONNECTIONS
Fun and Frugal Ideas for Grandkids
Summer vacation is the golden opportunity to make precious memories with your grandkids without breaking the bank! While life’s hustle and bustle can sometimes throw a wrench in your plans, creativity can go a long way. Here are six ways to have a blast with the kiddos on a budget. EXPLORE NATURE TOGETHER Nothing beats getting outside! Many local nature preserves offer free or low- cost access, and they’re great places to hike, learn about local plants and wildlife, or even participate in volunteer activities. The fresh air, the sounds of birds, and the chance to explore are perfect for curious young minds (and those young at heart!). SHARE YOUR HOBBIES Do you have a knack for knitting or a passion for golf? Chances are that your grandkids would love to learn!
Sharing your hobbies can be a fun, practically free way to spend time together. Whether it’s a morning fishing trip to a nearby lake or an afternoon crafting, these moments can become cherished memories. DISCOVER LOCAL GEMS Smaller, lesser-known museums or factory tours can be fascinating and won’t hurt your wallet. They’re often just the right scale for shorter attention spans and are usually less crowded. Plus, they sometimes offer discounts or free days — don’t forget to ask! UTILIZE COMMUNITY RESOURCES Your local library or community center likely hosts a variety of free or inexpensive activities. From story hours to craft days, these events are for family fun and learning. Also, be sure to check out any local festivals.
BUILD AND CREATE Look out for free classes at local hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, where kids can engage in projects like building a birdhouse. These workshops promise a good time and give the kids something to take home and be proud of. HOMETOWN TOURISM Lastly, don’t underestimate the joy of simple activities. A picnic in the park, flying a kite, or a day playing board games can be just as exciting and meaningful as any expensive outing.
COOL CASH CHOICES FOR HOT DAYS Sunshine Spending Sense
This time of year may be full of sunny skies and fun festivities, but it’s also one of the sneakiest seasons for unexpected drains on our resources. Here are three hard facts about summertime spending — and ways to stretch your bank balance on balmy days. YOUR AIR CONDITIONING IS COOLING A MONEY PIT. If walking into a fully cooled
at bay — is to turn it up when you walk through the door instead of keeping it on the entire time you’re away at work or running errands. YOU’RE DROWNING YOUR LAWN IN NEEDLESS DEBT. When a hot summer day makes you feel dehydrated, there’s a strong chance your yard feels the same way, right? Check your watch before you switch on your sprinklers to give your grass a drink. Avoiding watering your yard during the hottest time of day may seem counterintuitive, but high heat makes water evaporate, leaving you with nothing more than wasted water and money. If you want to conserve funds and maintain your property’s good looks, schedule your watering for earlier in the day before the outside temperature reaches its peak. YOU’RE FALLING VICTIM TO COSTLY FASHION. Great weather often inspires us to look our best, meaning big scores for clothing retailers that profit from our desire for upgraded wardrobes. If you want to save money while still looking sharp this summer, avoid heading to the store or clicking that “buy now” button until the second week of July. Once Independence Day passes for the year, clothing stores start prepping for the fall and begin discounting their summertime wares.
home after a long, hot day outside is one of your greatest summer conveniences, you may be slowly killing your air conditioner and
utility budget. Research shows that air conditioners typically struggle to reach peak efficiency during the warmest times of the day, meaning you’re wiping out your unit by running it at full blast and making it work hard to lower the temperature in an empty house. A study conducted by engineers in Arizona and Georgia determined that the most energy-efficient way to utilize air conditioning — and keep your electricity bill
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Performing worldwide as a famous rock star or appearing on millions of TVs may make you rich, but the true path to financial success comes from … producing adult beverages and selling paint brushes? Singer Sammy Hagar and painter extraordinaire Bob Ross are cultural institutions thanks to their most well-known professions, but they prove that real money often comes from what you do away from your primary career. Here are their stories. STUNNING CELEBRITY SIDE HUSTLES When Moonlighting Makes Millions
what’s most important in our lives. For us, true independence means enjoying more of what we love today (food, adventure, travel, and of course, our 3-year-old golden retriever, Sonny) while simultaneously working hard to ensure we do not sacrifice tomorrow. It is always a delicate balance, but it helps us maintain the freedom and happiness we first experienced years ago when we moved in together after graduating from school, and it’s a feeling we’re committed to never losing.
For more insight into the spirit behind this article, I recommend the book “The 5 Types of Wealth:
A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life” by Sahil Bloom. It’s a great read that explores how we can better balance and navigate our time, social wealth, mental wealth, physical wealth, and financial wealth to achieve an ideal level of genuine independence and fulfillment. Give it a read during those quiet times; I hope you’ll find more of that this summer. Just as you measure your financial wealth, you can chart and follow a strong course toward physical and mental richness, especially as life gets more unpredictable with each passing day. While we all hope our money comes in more than it goes out, our physical and mental peace are constants we should always preserve. – Austin Kobilka
BIG HAIR, BIGGER HEART With his trademark bushy hair and calm cadence, the late Bob Ross entertained millions of viewers while introducing them to the magic of art through his legendary
PBS show, “The Art of Painting.” Considering Ross’s widespread appeal and iconic status, it would be reasonable to assume that his television career earned him a fortune. However, his time
in front of the cameras for PBS earned him exactly nothing . The king of “happy little trees” never accepted a salary from the network for his time, and he donated the vast majority of his prized paintings to charity. Instead of earning a living through his work on screen, he supported himself by using his status to market art supplies. He demonstrated the same creative flair for generating an income as he did for crafting canvases into captivating images.
Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
INGREDIENTS • 4–6 boneless,
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice chicken down the middle horizontally (not cutting all the way through). 3. Spread pesto inside filleted chicken, then stuff with cheese and tomatoes before closing chicken, covering filling. 4. Place chicken in a large oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with reserved oil. 5. Set the skillet over medium heat; cook 5 minutes. 6. Add 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and season with chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. 7. Bake in oven for 7–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes burst. 8. Toss remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes with basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 9. Serve the chicken topped with fresh tomatoes.
skinless chicken breasts • 1/2 cup basil pesto • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup oil-
CABO WABO CASH To understand how successful singer/ guitarist Sammy Hagar is, first consider that he sold 27 million albums as a member of Van Halen in addition to the sales generated from his successful solo career. While those sales figures certainly point to a life of comfort, Hagar upped his earning potential considerably when he launched his own brand of tequila, Cabo Wabo, in 1996. The musician’s venture into the world
packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved
• 2 cups cherry
tomatoes, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Chili flakes, to taste • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste
of spirits was outrageously successful, eventually leading him to sell an 80% share of the enterprise for over $75 million. Now 77, Hagar doesn’t need to worry about relying on Social Security income anytime soon.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE True Wealth, True Wellness PAGE 1 Inexpensive and Memorable Grandparent-Grandchild Activities PAGE 2 Heatwave Wallet Hacks PAGE 2 Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken PAGE 3 Unlikely Sources of Famous Wealth PAGE 3 The Parks You’ve Never Heard Of (But Need to Visit) PAGE 4
3 NATIONAL PARKS THAT ARE WORTH THE DETOUR Ditch the Tourist Traps
CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America, the Channel Islands are a unique area of the coast of Southern California. While visiting, you can expect to see seals, island foxes, and over 2,000 other plant and animal species, with 145 found nowhere else on Earth. You can reach the mainland visitor center in Ventura by car, but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats. Make reservations in advance. CUYAHOGA NATIONAL PARK, OHIO If you want a unique experience, visit Cuyahoga National Park. Like many other national parks, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and photography while
Whenever you hear a friend or family member say they’re going to take a road trip to visit some of America’s most beautiful national parks, they usually plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Yosemite. These national parks consistently attract millions of visitors every year, but they’re far from the only must-see national parks in the country. There are 429 protected national sites within the U.S., and 63 of those have obtained the official “national park” designation in their names. (The other labels are battlefields, historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, etc.) If you want to experience the beauty of America without the crowds, consider visiting these destinations during your next vacation!
exploring the park’s 33,000 acres. You can admire many of the 1,000 species of plants and animals throughout your exploration, but if you want to get the full experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA Exploring a cave might not be your first thought when considering national parks, but Wind Cave is a one-of-a- kind experience. It’s one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and has many unique features, such as frostwork, cave popcorn, and boxwork, creating unique sights with every step. Once you head back outside, a beautiful mixed-grass prairie, home to bison, prairie dogs, and more, will greet you.
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