Lifestyles January 2024

LIFEST Y LES AN ADVERTISING SECTION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA | VOL. 16 ISSUE 1 • JANUARY 2024

Teams Help Clients Achieve Resolution to Improve Their Financial Health

Robert & Associates, LLC, Certified Public Accountants

by Cindy Lempke Special to Lifestyles

‘Saving money’ has leap-frogged losing weight and exercising to become Americans’ top New Year’s resolution in 2024, according to Statista Consumer Insights. Whether you are trying to manage your family’s finances, balance the books for your business, or design an investment portfolio, there are proven strategies for building your savings while reducing your tax burden. The wealth management

Wambolt & Associates Wealth Management Partners

FEATURE

OF THE MONTH firm Wambolt & Associates and the Certified Public Accounting firm Robert & Associates work with clients to improve their financial health and optimize their tax situation.

The Wambolt Way – Driven by Clients, Not Commissions As a Registered Investment Advisor and desig-

Photos by Ellen Nelson | www.ellennelson.com

nated fiduciary, Wambolt & Associates approaches wealth management from a client-centric perspective. Unlike most other firms, Wambolt does not offer any commission-based investment products to clients. Instead, the team is solely motivated by achieving successful outcomes for their clients, to whom they are directly accountable.

Each Wambolt client receives a financial blueprint tailored to meet their immediate needs and Please see FINANCIAL PLANNING, Page 2

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FINANCIAL PLANNING From Page 1 long-term goals. Wambolt clients also have access to the firm’s multi-disciplinary team of professionals in portfolio management, financial planning, investments, estate planning, tax strategies, and legal arenas.

This structure often is referred to as a “family office,” a model of wealth management fostered by the firm’s Founder and Owner Greg Wambolt.

Wambolt was recently named one of only seven finalists out of a possible 400 firm leaders statewide for a leadership award from the global, 40,000 CEO-member group Vistage.

Building a Diversified Portfolio with Alternative Investments For accredited investors - individuals earning $200,00 annually or $300,00 combined income with a spouse over a consecutive two-year period – the Wambolt team often recommends the option of Alternative, or Private Investments. These investments can be a wise choice for creating a more diversified portfolio rather than solely relying on returns from the stock and bond markets.

“Private investments give clients the option of placing their money into more specific industries or geographic areas that align with their Please see FINANCIAL PLANNING, Page 7

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The highly skilled and innovative Wambolt & Associates team offers clients best-in-class service to address their unique needs in the arenas of financial advising, investment portfolio management and estate planning.

Partners Focused on Meeting Your Tax Needs The collaborative partnership of Robert & Associates, Certified Public Accountants and Wambolt & Associates Wealth Management Partners is a ‘win’ for clients seeking to improve their tax situation. Both teams offer clients responsive, insightful, and customized service.

Susanne C. Robert, CPA

Cindy Alvarez

Managing Member, Robert & Associates, LLC

Owner & Senior Wealth Management Advisor Wambolt & Associates

robert-associates.com 303-231-1045

wamboltwealth.com 720-962-6700

Photos by Ellen Nelson | www.ellennelson.com

ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS

Qualified Opportunity Zones: One strategy for deferring capital gains is to re-invest them into a Qualified Opportunity Zone, a distressed area earmarked for improvement to foster economic development. Investors have 180 days to re-direct their capital gains which defers the capital gains tax for a period of time.

Conservation Easements: An agreement to restrict use of land to preserve it from development.

A landowner who donates a qualifying conservation easement is eligible for a federal charitable deduction equal to the value of the easement. The Mountain Area Land Trust has worked in partnership with individuals seeking to conserve their land for future generations.

Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy, especially solar, provides an opportunity for investors.

Every dollar invested in solar credits equals $1.30 on average in depreciation allowance.

Oil & Gas: There is a tax advantage for investing in oil and gas drilling. As long as wells are producing, this strategy also produces a quick return of capital.

Art: Investing into a fund representing 60-70 contemporary works with broad diversification that are sold to auctioneers, private galleries, and collectors, with proceeds distributed to the investors.

Private REITs: Real estate investment trusts, open to accredited and institutional investors, typically yield higher returns than REITs on the public market. They include multifamily real estate, storage units, hospitals, and hotels and resorts.

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Kahane Coaching Offers Affordable Saturday Workshops To Help You Focus and Get ‘Unstuck’ in 2024

By Jo Ann M. Colton

LIFE COACH ING

Special to Lifestyles

Saturday, January 27 (10:00am12:30pm), nationally Board-Certified Executive and Health & Wellness Coach Christine Kahane, of Kahane Coaching, kicks off 2024 by hosting a Vision Board Workshop at 28186 Highway 74, Suite 5, her downtown Evergreen office (on the creek).

“This year is the perfect time for everyone to focus, or re-focus, on positive changes that could help you achieve a greater sense of balance and accomplishment in your personal and professional life,” said Christine Kahane.

Christine describes her Vision Board Workshop as uplifting and powerful, offering a visual representation of your dreams/longings/goals that serve as a visual reminder of your intentions. “It’s a source of inspiration and motivation to ‘believe and achieve,’” she said.

Christine’s February 17 workshop, based upon her new book, UNLearning: Leading Change Without Resistance, is less about doing, and more about being willing to replace familiar belief systems

WORKSHOPS 2024 27 JANUARY

17 FEBRUARY

16 MARCH

Release what no longer serves your loife and discover the dreams you’ve been longing to manifest.

Name and claim your values so they are front and center in your working and home life.

Learn to harness your emotions, give yourself grace and love your humanness.

$60

$85

$60

VISION BOARD YOUR DREAMS CHANGE WITHOUT RESISTANCE BALANCE YOUR WORLD

All workshops are 10:00 – 12:30 @ 28186 Hwy 74, Suite 5 (on the Creek in downtown Evergreen!)

Christine@ KahaneCoaching.com 303.589.5456 KahaneCoaching.com

we use that actually no longer serve us.

At her March 16 Balance Workshop, you will explore extremes in your life and discover tools for bringing them into harmony.

Workshop attendees will learn to set boundaries for happy relationships, hold themselves and others accountable for promises/agreements they make, and learn to live with less stress and effort.

Rather than looking at problems and trying to fix them, the affordable sessions focus on finding solutions, which evolve from what you want to achieve.

Using various techniques that integrate your communication styles, behavior patterns, and preferences Christine works alongside clients on a one-on-one basis or in small groups.

Call Christine Kahane (303-5895456) for appointments. Visit her website (www.kahanecoaching.com) for Emotional Resilience Group (ERG) chat information, or to register for January and March workshops at an investment of $60/per person and $85/per person for the February workshop, which includes a copy of Kahane’s new book, UNLearning: Leading Change Without Resistance.

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Your Home Has A New Year’s Resolution Too! Do you have goals for your home this year? Do they include warmth, efficiency, aesthetics, AND saving you money? Here are the top 5 goals our customers achieve with a new fireplace, stove or insert from Mountain Hearth & Patio!

More heat and less spent on heating bills. Today’s gas or woodburning hearth appliances are designed to be the most efficient ever, with more heat into your home using less fuel. Gas is the most cost-effective source of heat for your home, and a new high-efficiency gas-fueled hearth appliance will pay for itself in the long-term by reducing the amount of fuel you use to heat your home. If you have a lot of cordwood sitting around, a new high-efficiency EPA-Certified wood burning fireplace, stove, or insert will heat your home without relying on your conventional utilities.

Changing fuel for convenience. Our most common project is to convert an outdated inefficient wood burning

fireplace to gas. Many of our customers are switching to the convenience of a gas-fueled fireplace, stove, or insert. With the push of a button, the fireplace turns on or it can be thermostatically remote controlled to keep your room consistently comfortable. You can even control your thermostat temperature or heat-circulating blower from your couch.

Improved safety and air quality. New EPA-Certified wood burning units burn efficiently and cleanly, reducing creosote buildup and risk of a hostile chimney fire. The key to that efficiency is a combustion air control, which slows the burn of wood, saving fuel. If your existing wood fireplace isn’t EPA-Certified, you are throwing money away on wasted wood and a drafty appliance.

Newer gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts are also safer than previous models because of Direct Vent technology, which brings air from outside to fuel the flames, and exhaust combustion byproducts out

a separate channel, so there is no chance of carbon monoxide or soot entering your home from these appliances.

Create a centerpiece for your home!

Today’s hearth appliances have a wide variety of design options to complement any style. They offer near endless options for customization, such as choices for log sets or glass bead burner media, traditional to contemporary firebox panels, and choices of metal finishes on the fronts. New fireplaces come in nearly any shape and size, and can be installed even where there was no fireplace before.

If you want extra heat in your bedroom, TV room, basement, or addition, give us a call to discuss your project!

Perfecting and Protecting what you have. Does your living room currently have a drafty, inefficient open wood burning fireplace? You can seal out the cold and bring heat into your home by updating it with an efficient gas or woodstove insert. If you’re happy with

Have the fireplace of your dreams for 2024. Increase efficiency, reliability, and safety with your new gas or woodburning fireplace, stove, or insert

your fireplace but want to stop the draft, we can replace the conventional damper; or we can help you design and install a new set of doors that will help retain heat, save money on energy bills, and update the look of your fireplace.

Lastly, protect your investment and your home with proper annual maintenance. Our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute.

Their expertise can help you to make the most of your hearth appliance, and keep it running efficiently for years to come.

For 2024, make your home’s beauty, safety, warmth, and cost savings a priority! Give us a call today at 303-679-1601, email Office@MtnHP.com, or visit our showroom at 7001 Highway 73, Evergreen.

You can also learn more about our energy-saving products at www.MtnHP. com. Happy New Year from Mountain Hearth & Patio!

Fireplace, Stove, & Insert Installations

by Mountain Hearth & Patio www.MtnHP.com (303) 679-1601 7001 Highway 73 Evergreen

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Turn Up the Heat and Flavor for the Big Game (StatePoint) Hosting a Big Game watch party? By following the playbook of BBQ experts, you’ll have your friends and family cheering for your game day spread.

“The trick to achieving tasty BBQ is real smoke flavor. And, to get real smoke flavor, you need quality, natural hardwoods, with or without a pellet grill,” says Levi Strayer of Bear Mountain BBQ, “Start grilling with pellets, and everyone will immediately taste the difference—it’s a game changer.”

With that philosophy in mind, Bear Mountain BBQ ambassador Jennifer Danella is sharing two BBQ winning recipes. Both incorporate the brand’s premium pellets to bring unbeatable flavor to the table.

Sweet Heat Barbeque Wild Turkey Bites Ingredients: • 1 boneless, skinless turkey or chicken breast, approximately 2 pounds, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tablespoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon paprika • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 1 tablespoon loosely-packed light brown sugar • 1 package center-cut bacon, cut in half • Sliced green onions • Ranch dressing • Chef’s Choice or Butcher’s Blend Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets • 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce • 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce • 1 tablespoon minced garlic Directions: 1. Preheat grill to 400 degrees F. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place 1-inch turkey pieces into a medium size bowl. Sprinkle chili powder, paprika, cayenne, garlic salt, black pepper and brown sugar over top. Mix well.

4. Wrap half a slice of bacon around each turkey piece. Secure with a toothpick and place them onto the parchment paper.

5. Place the baking sheet into your

preheated grill and bake for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce and garlic in a small bowl.

Brush the turkey pieces halfway through cooking. Brush another layer of sauce five minutes before the cook time is over.

Cook until the turkey pieces reach 165 degrees F. 6. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

Beer Cheese Dip Ingredients: • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese grated • 1/2 cup gruyere cheese grated • 8 ounces cream cheese softened • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1/2 of a 1-ounce Hidden Valley Ranch Packet • 2 tablespoons green onions chopped.

• 1/4 cup German lager beer • 2 tablespoons baking soda

• 1 can biscuits • 1 large egg, mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for brushing biscuits • 12-inch cast iron skillet • Bear Mountain BBQ’s Chef’s Choice Blend pellets Directions: 1. Preheat pellet grill to 350 degrees F. 2. In large bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar, gruyere, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning, beer and 1 tablespoon green onions.

Mix evenly.

3. Cut biscuits in half. Roll each half into a ball, then slice an X across top.

4. Boil 2 cups water in medium saucepan. Once boiling, add baking soda and mix immediately.

5. Add biscuits to grill in batches and cook until puffy, approximately 1 minute.

Remove and transfer to skillet, forming ring along inside edge.

6. Brush biscuits with egg wash.

Sprinkle with salt.

7. Transfer dip to center of skillet.

Sprinkle with remaining cheddar.

8. Smoke until biscuits are golden and dip is bubbly, 30-35 minutes.

9. Garnish with remaining green onions. Serve!

As you make your Game Day preparations, head to Walmart, which is carrying a new collection of Bear Mountain’s grilling and smoking pellets. The five exclusive flavors -- Smoky Apple Whiskey, Maple Bourbon Pecan, Chef’s Choice, Butcher’s Blend and Chophouse Blend -- add unrivaled flavor to all grilling and smoking occasions. The collection can also be found online at Walmart.com. For recipe ideas and techniques for adding smoke flavor to your food using any grill, visit bearmountainbbq.com.

To bring your A-game to the Big Game, level up your hosting with mouthwatering BBQ treats.

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LIFEST YLES | JANUARY 2024

stage of their financial circumstances.

“Our goal is to fully understand your financial needs so we can be your go-to resource both during tax season and throughout the year,” said Robert.

“We help you create and follow a plan that will minimize your tax burden and result in greater financial profitability and security.”

The CPA firm of Robert & Associates brings more than 30 years of experience to preparing tax returns and providing a full range of Photos by Ellen Nelson | www.ellennelson.com accounting services.

d

Wambolt & Associates colleagues collaborate to deliver customized financial blueprints that meet clients’ immediate financial needs and provide longer term wealth management strategies to help secure their future. acomplex and delicate endeavor. That’s ng where the collaborative partnership between Wambolt & Associates and From Page 2 Robert & Associates is advantageous to clients. Wambolt outlines strategic interests,” said Wambolt Owner and tax planning and investment strateSenior Wealth Management Advisor gies, and Robert & Associates advises d Cindy Alvarez. “Investing in private clients on the specific tax implications markets often provides investors the of their investments. or risk/reward balance they’re seeking, “Our relationship with Wambolt allows them to re-invest capital gains, is mutually beneficial for our clients l, and offers tax benefits not otherwise and our teams,” said Susanne C. available through public markets.”

Robert, Managing Member of Robert While attractive to investors, & Associates, LLC. “Together we h- navigating Alternative Investments evaluate each client’s goals and tax and their tax implications can be a

FINANCIAL PLANNING

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situations to determine the best options for maximizing returns while minimizing tax burdens. A good example of it is when we help clients take advantage of a 1031 Exchange or a 1031-DST strategy which defers capital gains from the sale of a rental property by demonstrating ownership in a “replacement property” as defined by the IRS.” “Our team loves working with financially savvy clients who are looking for alternative investments,” said Alvarez. “Our knowledgeable, sophisticated wealth management professionals prepare models to help clients make well-informed decisions that ref lect their investment goals. It’s definitely one of the ways Wambolt & Associates ‘ups the game’ and distinguishes itself from other financial advising entities.”

Robert & Associates – An Experienced Team Dedicated to Serving Clients Clients seeking a CPA firm that delivers excellent customer service while leveraging the knowledge and expertise of a well-educated team discover the benefits of working with Robert & Associates. With more than 30 years of public accounting experience, the firm provides guidance to a variety of clients – small businesses, larger corporations, and individuals at every

A Partner for Small Business If you own or are thinking about starting a business, Robert & Associates also offers expert counsel for establishing your enterprise as well as tax return preparation and hands-on accounting services to keep your books on track.

“Robert & Associates understands small business. They’ve been very helpful looking at our finances in depth, assisting us with budgeting, and setting us up as an SCorp which has saved us money,” said Kyle Brooke of Evergreen’s Matt Robertson Glass, LLC. “Angela Domenic has been personable, professional and diligent in managing our books. I feel like the firm is invested in us - part of our business.”

Creating Better Tax Outcomes The Robert & Associates analysis of a client’s tax projection provides valuable guidance for Wambolt & Associates to exercise when designing investment strategies to offset that client’s taxable income. This model is particularly helpful to clients experiencing or anticipating a major financial change due to the start-up or sale of their business, an inheritance, or a significant loss.

When it comes to tax-related issues, Wambolt advisors educate their clients that “every financial decision has a tax implication.” Wambolt provides high-level consultation on customized tax strategies and refers tax return preparation and tax projections to Robert & Associates -– a seamless transition designed to address clients’ tax needs in a comprehensive fashion.

If you are interested in keeping your resolution to make smarter financial decisions for the benefit of your family and your business, learn more at www.wamboltwealth.com or www.robert-associates.com.

The

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