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JANUARY 2021
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PATRIOT WEALTH
ON ICE
SHARING ONE OF MY PASSIONS WITH NOAH
I was pretty lucky to grow up in North Carolina. The weather is always great, so my buddies and I could be outside playing together nearly every day. In fact, we could often be found in our cul de sac playing hockey in the street! That was where I first started to fall in love with hockey, and since then, it’s become a lifelong dedication. After my street hockey days, I graduated to the ice. The local ice rink had a Friday night open-skate, and it was common for many kids in my middle school to meet up there each Friday night. After “public open skate,” there was always a pickup game of hockey that would start, and local rec league players would just play for fun. That’s when I really started practicing my craft and enjoyed it more and more. By this point, I had grown up playing all kinds of sports. I was active in basketball, soccer, and baseball, but it was really hockey that I enjoyed the most. When I was 12, I joined a real league and began playing competitively. That wasn’t always easy in North Carolina. I will forever be grateful for my parents’ dedication and patience. They carted me to Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, and other states up and down
the East Coast just so I could compete with my team during hockey season. My parents made a lot of sacrifices — and had some pretty early mornings — just so this North Carolina kid could play on the ice. By my senior year of high school, I decided to chase my hockey dreams. I moved to Boston to play competitive junior hockey, and I then played collegiate hockey for North Carolina State University and was president and captain of the club team there. After college, I hung up my competitive skates, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find me on the ice! Hockey is still a big passion for me. I root for the hometown NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes — through good and bad years! This year I plan to gift Noah his first pair of ice skates. When he turns 2 years old this June, I look forward to taking him to the rink to teach him how to skate.
me a lot of memories. It provided me with an outlet and something I could passionately work hard at. It instilled values like humility and dedication. One of the best lessons learned through hockey is the value of teamwork, which is placed higher than your own wins or accomplishments. Some sports, even though they’re considered “team sports,” are sometimes monopolized by an individual athlete. Football has quarterbacks, baseball has pitchers, hockey has a team. Of course, it’s possible for one hockey player to be the superstar of the team, but a strong hockey team is evident when each player plays for the team as a whole — not just the name on the back of a players’ jersey. That’s a valuable lesson to learn, and one I hope to teach Noah through the game I love.
Even if he doesn’t share my passion for the ice, Rachel and I will support Noah in whatever passions he chooses to pursue.
Like any parent would, I won’t force Noah to try hockey or enjoy it as much as I do, but it is something I’m very excited to share with Noah. Hockey gave
I’m just giving him a little nudge onto the ice.
–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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4 ITEMS WORTH A LITTLE EXTRA GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Not all goods are created equal. Going cheap can seem appealing (who doesn’t like to save money?), but when you use up products more quickly than expected or they just cause a hassle, you haven’t really saved. Some things are worth spending a little extra on. Here are four such everyday items. BATTERIES Discount and dollar store batteries are often made with low-quality materials and don’t hold their charge as well. Plus, because they’re made with cheaper materials, there’s a greater chance they will leak and damage the device they’re powering. Brand-name batteries use high-quality materials and hold a much better charge, so you will use fewer batteries and they are less likely to leak. Pro Tip: If you don’t plan on using a battery-powered device for an extended period of time, always remove the batteries before storing it. TOILET PAPER We’ve all experienced the disappointment of cheap, one-ply toilet paper. This subpar paper is less absorbent and more prone to tearing than its higher-quality counterpart. Furthermore, low-quality TP can irritate your
skin, causing discomfort and other problems. Regardless, the overall cost savings of buying low-quality TP will be negligible because you’ll end up using more to make up for the lack of ply. PLASTIC WRAP There are many brands of plastic wrap on the market, but several are more trouble than they’re worth. Plastic wrap is most often used to cover and save food, which means its seal or cling is of the utmost importance. Sadly, budget brands don’t have the same cling technology as name brands. While you may feel like you’re saving money by buying cheaper plastic wrap, it’s likely to leave you frustrated and with food that is only partially covered. SHOES Cheap footwear can lead to all kinds of problems. For one, cheap shoes are more likely to fall apart sooner than shoes from reliable brands, and that alone can break anyone’s budget. Worse yet, cheap shoes rarely provide the necessary foot support, which can lead to serious musculoskeletal issues, including knee problems. These may require professional intervention to fix, so take your time and spend the necessary money to get good shoes that fit properly.
ANALYSTS SAY TAR HEEL STATE A POPULAR RETIREMENT DESTINATION NORTH CAROLINA, RALEIGH RAKE IN RECOGNITION
We’ve always known Raleigh was a great place to live, work, and retire, but now we have proof! In 2020, Raleigh ranked seventh in the country as one of the most popular places for retirees to move to, edging its way into the ranking this year. (Notably, our friends in Durham, North Carolina, made the list last year.) Overall, North Carolina ranked third as the most popular state for retirees, just behind Florida and Arizona. The rankings were done by SmartAsset, a search engine to help consumers find financial advisors. It compared data about adults older than 60 and their moving patterns. Beginning in 2018, Raleigh saw nearly 2,000 older adults move into the area, while just 700 left. SmartAsset cites a few reasons for this adjustment, including the pleasant temperatures in North Carolina attracting older residents. Notably, North Carolina was one of the few states in the top 10 list that does have an income tax. Places like Florida and Texas made the list and are arguably attractive to some because of the lack of an income tax. We believe this speaks volumes about just how great our state is to our retirees!
Investopedia notes that the cost of living in the Tar Heel State is more than 5% lower than the rest of the nation, and the median home value hovers just over $200,000, compared to nearly $250,000 across the nation. This could mean finding the retirement home of your dreams is easy and attainable! The News & Observer also reported that it isn’t just retirees who are cashing in on our region. Raleigh was ranked third in the country among metro areas for millennials to move to. The moving rental company U-Haul reports that many of its one- way rentals have a final destination in Raleigh. So, what does this mean as you begin to plan for retirement? If you live in North Carolina, you just might be in a great position! Whether you want rolling hills and quiet land or a gorgeous coast and active nightlife, North Carolina has options for every retiree. We’re proud to call Raleigh home, and we’d love to help you ensure it’s your retirement home, too. For questions regarding your retirement plan, contact us today.
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Celebrities entertain us, but perhaps some of the biggest news they can make happens at the tail end of their careers. For these three celebrities, the way they chose to leave has left a lasting impact on their legacy and the lessons they leave behind. BRETT FAVRE CAN’T DECIDE The ultimate case of will he or won’t he, Brett Favre retired from the NFL’s Green Bay Packers after 16 years in March 2008. The Packers pushed forward, but that summer, their ex came calling. Favre wanted back, but the Packers had moved on, eventually releasing him to free agency. Favre would ultimately be picked up by the Jets for one season and the Vikings for two. After two more “retirements,” he eventually did leave in 2011. The Lesson: You will likely wonder if you made the right choice after you retire. Seek advice from someone you trust and don’t be afraid to find a new passion. For Favre, it was Wrangler Jeans commercials and coaching. OZZY OSBOURNE PLANS FOR AN ENCORE The musician who will never retire cemented that fact in 2020, revealing that he had been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2003 with no plans to retire in sight. In fact, this past August, Rolling Stone magazine quoted Ozzy as saying, “You know the time when I will retire? When I can hear them nail a lid on my box. And then I’ll … do an encore.” But this is a different tune for Ozzy, who in 1992 announced that after nearly three decades, he was stepping away from music. Three years later, the Ozzy we know and love today announced he wasn’t going anywhere. The Lesson: Ozzy hasn’t given up the music — why should you? Consult in your field, start your own business, or find a hobby similar to your career. GOOGLE CREATES A TRADITION Google’s beginning was innovative, but its logo was not. It looked like Microsoft WordArt from a second-grader. Google eventually found its focus, dropping the exclamation mark, removing the shading, and going for a minimal look. Today, Google’s logos are somewhat of a quirk, sometimes created by artists and experts and often changing to mark special holidays. The Lesson: You can reinvent yourself in retirement, just like when Google took an old logo, scrapped it, and created a trend that gets users talking every day. Retirement doesn’t look the same for everyone. If you want to make adjustments to your retirement plan, give us a call today at 919.322.4113. 3 LESSONS FROM THEIR FAMOUS RETIREMENTS CELEBRITIES ARE JUST LIKE US
TAKE A BREAK
BIRTHDAY CAKE BAKED OATMEAL FOR ONE (YES, REALLY)
Did you know that January is National Oatmeal Month? If you tend to think of oatmeal as boring, this fun dessert-themed recipe just might change your mind. To go all out, top with a candle and a dollop of whipped cream.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats • 1 browning banana, mashed • 1/2 cup milk • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder • Splash of vanilla extract • 1 tsp brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup • 2 tsp sprinkles
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and prepare a small oven-safe dish. 2. In a small bowl, combine
prepared baking dish. 4. Bake for 25 minutes or until the oatmeal is golden brown. 5. Let the oatmeal cool slightly, top with sprinkles, and dig in!
all of the ingredients except the sprinkles.
3. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the
Inspired by ItsTaylerMarie.org
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Values I Learned From Hockey PAGE 1 4 Items Worth Spending Extra On PAGE 2
Raleigh Ranked as 7th Most Popular Place to Retire PAGE 2 Birthday Cake Baked Oatmeal for One (Yes, Really) PAGE 3 Lessons We Learn From Famous Retirements PAGE 3 Give Yourself the Boost of Getting Outside PAGE 4
LET THAT FRESH AIR FUEL YOU 4 TIPS TO MAKE GETTING OUTSIDE EASIER Hunkering down and waiting for the dark and chilly winter season to pass sounds pretty nice. But the reality is, if we deprive ourselves of time outside, we do ourselves a big disservice both mentally and physically. Staying indoors all day affects your energy and mood, which makes it hard to get anything done, so here are four easy tips to make it easier to get a little fresh air. 1. MAKE IT A PRIORITY. Getting outside means making the conscious effort to do so. If you want to reap its benefits, you have to decide to make it a priority in your day-to-day schedule. If you make the act important to you, you have more motivation to actually do it. 2. USE MORNINGS EFFECTIVELY. Waking up and getting the day started can be hard. But studies have shown that natural light helps decrease your melatonin production, which means you feel ready to face the day sooner. So, set yourself a second alarm to head outside and take a quick walk around the block just after waking. Don’t even wash your face or grab coffee. Just get out there.
3. TAKE YOUR WORK OUTSIDE. If you’re working from home, take some work outdoors. Phone and virtual meetings are a great outdoor option, especially if you’ll just be an active listener and aren’t required to do any work simultaneously. Attach a note to your meeting reminders to get yourself set up outside five minutes before you start. 4. CREATE A SCHEDULE. It might feel strange to set reminders throughout the day to step outside, but you easily get wrapped up in activities and overlook breaks, and these reminders are exactly what you need. Start with 10-minute blocks three times a day. If you stick to them, soon you won’t need a schedule to get outside anymore. Winter weather may be cold, but even when you’re bundled up under a jacket and scarf, just 5–10 minutes outside can do wonders for your mood and energy for hours.
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