Rely on Specialists to Ensure Your Financial Health
FEATURE OF THE MONTH
By Cindy Lempke
Special to Lifestyles
Investing in your children’s education, planning for your retirement, saving for a second home, ensuring your assets are protected if the unexpected occurs, and securing your family’s financial legacy are impactful decisions requiring a well-conceived strategy. Your financial health, just like your physical health, deserves the care, attention and expertise of knowledgeable professionals. The collaborative relationship between Robert & Associates, LLC certified public accountants, and the Savvy Advisors wealth management team offers clients the full spectrum of financial guidance – from the preparation of annual tax returns to business start-ups, to the creation of a customized, multi-faceted investment portfolio and outlining a financial legacy plan.
Savvy Advisors – Combining Technology with the Personal Touch
A forward-thinking FinTech company headquartered in New York, Savvy was co-founded in 2021 by Ritik Malhotra. Ritik’s vision was to create a technology platform that would not only enhance operational efficiency, but also give advisors the freedom to focus most of their time on serving clients.
Senior Wealth Management Advisor, Cindy Alvarez, opened a Savvy office in Evergreen in November, with plans to add a Littleton office in 2025. Joining her team are Janelle van Meel, a seasoned advisor with more than 25 years of industry experience, who advises clients on investment strategies across both public and private markets; Evan Coats, a Tax Specialist, who works closely with clients to develop tax-saving strategies; Mitchell Gerschick, a Wealth Manager who leads the office’s financial planning efforts, ensuring clients receive a comprehensive plan, operational support and access to expert resources; and Hillary Peterson, Client Service Manager, an invaluable resource for money movements, establishing new accounts and handling operational needs.
Alvarez and her team are dedicated to nurturing client connections and aligning their financial roadmaps to help them meet immediate and long-term goals. “Human interaction is still important when it comes to wealth management,” says Alvarez. “There is no replacement for client conversations with an advisor who can educate them, allay their fears, and share in the pursuit of their dreams and goals.”
Alvarez was attracted to Savvy because of its boutique client service model and the firm’s robust support of its advisors. With advisors across the country, Savvy promotes collaboration and the sharing of best practices among advisors. Savvy’s partnerships with asset custodians
Robert & Associates, LLC
Photos by Andrea Flanagan Photography
FINANCE
From Page 1
Charles Schwab and Fidelity make it convenient for new clients with existing accounts with these entities.
“Joining such an accomplished and dynamic team has only strengthened my commitment to offering tailored solutions and fostering long-term relationships with the families and businesses we serve,” added Alvarez.
A Solid Professional Relationship Benefits Clients
While Alvarez leads an office with a new firm, her professional collaboration with Susanne Robert and Robert & Associates, LLC remains unchanged.
“Our relationship with Savvy is ‘the right fit’ for our clients and our teams,” said Susanne C. Robert, CPA. “Together we evaluate each client’s financial goals and tax situations to determine the best options for each client’s risk/reward
profile, while minimizing tax burdens. A good example of this interaction occurs when we have the opportunity to help clients take advantage of alternative investment strategies.”
For accredited investors (individuals earning $200,00 annually or $300,00 combined income with a spouse over a consecutive two-year period) Cindy may recommend the option of Alternative, or Private Investments. These investments, including private equity, real estate, art, commodities and venture capital are options for creating a more diversified portfolio rather than solely relying on returns from the stock and bond markets.
“Private investments give clients the choice of placing their money into more specific industries or geographic areas that align with their interests,” said Alvarez. “Investing in private markets can provide investors the risk/reward balance they’re seeking, which can allow them to reinvest capital gains, and offers tax benefits not otherwise available through public markets.”
Please see FINANCE, Page 6
Clients of Robert & Associates benefit from the expertise of two CPAs – Susanne C. Robert and Kelly Haley.
Photo by Andrea Flanagan Photography
Attention Homeowners…
Home
By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles
For over thirty years, Colorado Foothills native and Mortgage Broker Grant Brewster of Edge Home Finance Corporation has been providing his customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. If the recent gift-giving holiday season has left you strapped for funds, call Grant to discuss how a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), might help ease your financial burden.
A HELOC, a type of loan that allows homeowners to borrow against their home equity, works similarly to a credit card in that it provides a line of credit up to a certain limit, from which you can borrow, repay, and borrow again. Equity is the difference between the current market value of your home and your outstanding mortgage balance.
“Whether you have high-interest credit card debt, need education/home improvement monies or need cash for unexpected expenses, a HELOC loan offers flexibility and relatively
low borrowing costs,” say Grant Brewster. “It can be a useful financial tool, but it’s important to borrow responsibly and be mindful of the risks associated with using your home as collateral.”
Conveniently located at FlowTheory Coworks, 3540 Evergreen Parkway, contact Grant Brewster today (720-668-4183/grant. brewster@edgehomefinance.com/www. grantbrewster.com) for more information about HELOC loans and for all your financing needs.
Any Lab Test Now® Offers Private and Affordable Medical Testing
By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles
Any Lab Test Now® of Lakewood at 7650 West Virginia Avenue, Suite C offers uninsured/self-pay individuals medical tests that are private/affordable and convenient. The lab provides the doctor’s order; no insurance
needed or ever accepted. With thousands of service options, the facility can accommodate your specific need, including Single or Bundle Nutritional B12 Injections, DNA, TB, A1C, and STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing.
STIs (HIV/Syphilis/Gonorrhea/ Chalmydia…) are prevalent throughout the
country due to increases in substance abuse tied to unsafe sexual behavior, decreased condom usage, ongoing social/economic conditions, and reductions in local/state STI services. Sexually transmitted diseases are treatable, and many are curable. However, if left untreated these infections can cause serious health problems.
“Many people with STIs are asymptomatic and are unaware they have an infection.” said Lakewood franchise owner Drew Scarbrough, who moved to Colorado from Florida where he worked as a Veterinary Doctor. “If you are concerned about STIs, make an appointment with our lab to be tested as soon as possible.”
Most Any Lab Test Now® tests take less than 15 minutes; many results are ready within 24-72 hours. For lab hours/test information/fees and appointments, contact Any Lab Test Now® of Lakewood (720-543-2280 / https//www.anylabtestnow/lakewood-80226).
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 coming into your home while using less fuel. Gas is the most cost-effective source of heat for your home, and a new high-efficiency gas-fired 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 nearly 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 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 2025, 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!
Advertising Department
Donna Reardon, 303-566-4114
dreardon@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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Tax implications of alternative investments is an area of expertise for Robert & Associates who advise clients on how their specific investment will impact their tax picture.
A Full Service Certified Public Accounting Firm
With more than 30 years of public accounting experience, Robert & Associates provides guidance to a variety of clients – small businesses, larger corporations, and individuals at every stage of their financial circumstances. Clients can expect to benefit from the expertise of a well-educated team that prides themselves on delivering excellent customer service.
“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 distinguish ourselves by having two CPAs on our team. Each tax return is reviewed by both of us before it leaves our office – we think this extra layer of accountability truly sets us apart.”
A Trusted Partner for Small Business and Individuals
For current or prospective business owners, Robert & Associates can reduce administrative burdens by helping to establish business enterprises in the most tax-advantaged situation, preparing business tax returns, and providing hands-on accounting services.
Individual clients seeking to reduce their tax burden often work with both Robert & Associates and Savvy Advisors. The Robert & Associates tax projections provide valuable insight to Savvy Advisors for recommending investment strat-
Savvy Advisors team member Janelle van Meel is a seasoned advisor with more than 25 years of industry experience.
egies 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.
Two Women-Led Businesses
Making a Mark Susanne Robert and Cindy Alvarez are committed to running their businesses according to the highest level of integrity, realizing they are helping to set the standard for women-owned firms in the financial industry.
“It’s important to me to maintain my integrity and ethics in all of my interactions,” said Robert, a member of the Mountain Area Women in
Business Hall of Fame. “I want to be a role model for my daughter, my granddaughter, and the young women considering the accounting field. It means a great deal to me personally and professionally.”
“I believe in a culture that celebrates diversity, and Savvy is particularly focused on supporting more female-led firms across the country,” said Alvarez. “Women make up 33% of advisors in the
financial services industry1. I am honored to be part of this growing minority and look forward to helping expand this pool through education and mentoring the next generation.”
To learn more about Savvy Advisors, go to www.savvywealth.com or email cindy.Alvarez@ savvyadvisors.com. To contact Robert & Associates, visit www.robert-associates.com 1 https://www.primerica.com/public/White_Paper_ Primerica_Financial_Security_Monitor_September_2024.pdf
Material prepared herein has been created for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal.
Alternative investments, hedge funds, and private placements involve a high degree of risk and can be illiquid due to restrictions on transfer and lack of a secondary trading market. They can be highly leveraged, speculative and volatile, and an investor could lose all or a substantial amount of an investment. Alternative investments may lack transparency as to share price, valuation and portfolio holdings. Complex tax structures often result in delayed tax reporting. Compared to mutual funds, private funds are subject to less regulation and often charge higher fees.
Savvy Advisors, Inc. (“Savvy Advisors”) is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All advisory services are offered through Savvy Advisors. Robert & Associates is not affiliated with or related to Savvy Advisors. Savvy Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your tax and/or legal counsel for specific tax or legal questions and concerns.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A womanizing US president. Gin-drinking, poker-playing, skirt-chasing Cabinet members. And a plot from the inside to usurp control of the Navy’s oil reserves. Wild and juicy stuff this. And all of it a true chapter of America’s history.
There may not be another US scandal that is so heavy with corruption and criminality that weighs so lightly on our collective consciousness as the Teapot Dome Scandal. From 1920 to 1922, power-hungry politicians and corporate tycoons boldly schemed to steal the nation’s newest energy resourcel. In so doing these crooks put a black mark on the pioneering work of those who gave birth to Wyoming’s incredible bonanza.
With a deft researcher’s hand and the heart and attention of a creative writer, Constance Bierkan has written a rst-of-its-kind ctionalized recounting of what led up to this nearly forgotten nugget from the past, the Teapot Dome Scandal. Like No Place on Earth is a spirited coming-of-age story set in Wyoming at the start of the madcap Roaring Twenties and the birth of the oil industry. As much a love story as it is a historical deep-dive, Like No Place on Earth will be irresistible to book clubs and history buffs alike.
Dustin Swenson and Brock Anderson focus on providing Robert & Associates’ clients with responsive service and accurate results. Photos by Andrea Flanagan Photography