Financial Architects - January 2021

Financial Architects - January 2021

JANUARY 2021

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THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNWAS…A DREAM COME TRUE? A New Year Message FromOur Front Desk Coordinator 2020 was a year for the books, and while

deep-thinking lyrics of Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, and John Mayer. We went on long walks around Plymouth, venturing outdoors more than we normally would. We also did a lot of laughing and reminiscing. By the end of the lockdown, we even had a “COVID song” that will always remind us of those good, strange times: “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.

most of my friends are glad it’s behind us, I’ve found myself in a strange position. Looking back at the year, not only would I do it all over again in a heartbeat, but I also have to admit it was an amazing ride! Let me explain. My name is Colleen Bouton, and I’m the Front Desk Coordinator at Financial Architects. Apart from that, I’m a wife to my husband Jim and a mom to two grown boys, Dustin and Kevin. Dustin is 33 and Kevin is 27, so before the pandemic Jim and I were empty nesters. Then job loss, broken hearts, and lockdown measures conspired to get the four of us back together again.

DREAM COME TRUE NO. 2: THE WONDER DRUG

DREAM COME TRUE NO. 3: THE BEST JOB EVER

The other miracle of 2020 technically came in 2019, but it played out last year. See, my son Kevin has a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis. It makes him prone to lung infections and can also make breathing difficult. He was diagnosed at 3 months old and he’s 27 now, so it has been a long haul for him and our whole family. We were resigned to the fact that he would live his whole life with this condition, but in late 2019, the FDA released a medication to treat cystic fibrosis that is very close to a cure. That was HUGE for Kevin and for all of us! The drug has given him a new lease on life, and our whole family has been celebrating ever since. It made our time together last spring during lockdown even more special. (To learn more about cystic fibrosis, visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at CFF.org or The Bonnell Foundation at TheBonnellFoundation.org.)

After lockdown ended, my third dream came true: I got to come back to my job at Financial Architects. I have more than 20 years of administrative assistant experience in the legal, medical, and insurance case management fields, but there’s just something special about FAI. Whether I’m taking care of the clients who come in, overseeing our health surveys and temperature checks to keep everyone safe, or sanitizing the office, I’m always enjoying my work. I love meeting, learning about, and helping new people, so this job is the perfect fit for me. Coming back to it was definitely a highlight of 2020! I hope my experience can inspire you just a little as you’re making your New Year's resolutions for 2021. Maybe you want to reconnect with your family, find your dream job, or even discover a medical miracle — it’s all possible! I’ll be here rooting for you.

DREAM COME TRUE NO. 1: THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

One thing led to another this spring, and before Jim and I knew it, the guys were stuck with us. They both moved back home for three months during lockdown. It was an awesome experience! We spent a lot of time together and bonded in a way that was different from when they were kids, even though we were all close back then, too. I’ve always felt the most important role in my life is to be a mother to my children, so it was a dream come true to be able to step back into that role full time. I never thought I’d get that chance again! For months, we played endless games of Ping-Pong and Rummy. Dustin worked remotely from home, and Kevin composed his music, which is inspired by the laid-back,

888-466-5453 – Colleen Bouton

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Book Reviews With Chris Ball EYE ON THE BALL

GREASE AND FINGERPRINTS BE GONE

While phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops have become convenient, everyday technology, one struggle remains: constantly dirty screens. Regular cleaning is a must for battling fingerprints, dust, and other smudges, not to mention all the germs that can collect on the surface of your device. But how do you clean your screens without ruining any functionality? Before you drench your device in your typical household cleaner, try these three cleaning products and say goodbye to dirty screens!

MOBILE SCREEN WIPES

Chances are, you use your phone more than all your other devices combined, resulting in a constantly dirty screen. With Zeiss Mobile Screen Wipes, you can rest assured that no matter how dirty your phone screen gets, you can clean it any time, any place. These wipes are individually wrapped and can easily fit in a pocket, purse, or drawer at work. As an added bonus, they can also clean your eyeglasses. You can find them for $7.49 on Amazon!

“Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition” by Daniel Okrent

This is one of my favorite books and one of the most fascinating pieces of American history. How did a small group that began on the fringes of society become such a powerful force? Their movement led to social and legal policy changes that brought forth disastrous unintended consequences. There are so many groups that came together in the quest for prohibition. Okrent does a brilliant job of bringing all the various characters to life and giving us a snapshot into the bizarre events that led to the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The experiment of Prohibition brings up so many meaningful questions about enforcing moral values and beliefs on a society through law. I also highly recommend Ken Burns' excellent documentary about Prohibition, which was largely based on this book. It removes a lot of the romanticism of the Roaring ’20s and gives a grim reality of mobsters, speak-easies, toxic bootleg liquor, and organized crime. I think this is an essential piece of history that should stand as an example for future generations.

SCREEN CLEANER

Best Buy has its own brand of screen cleaner called Insignia. Insignia can thoroughly and safely clean any device’s screen and keep it streak-free long after cleaning. Since you simply spray some onto a cleaning cloth, the 5-ounce bottle lasts quite a while. With a 4.7 rating from over 1,400 reviews, Insignia is perfect for all of your screen-cleaning needs! Pick up a bottle of your own at Best Buy for $9.99.

ELECTRONIC WIPES

Weiman Electronic Wipes are perfect for removing grease smudges, dust, and fingerprints from any of your delicate screens, including TVs, tablets, phones, and laptops. They can even be used to spot- clean keyboards. The wipes come ready to use and contain no harsh ingredients. You can purchase them on Amazon for $14.98.

– Chris Ball

The information contained in this newsletter is derived from sources believed to be accurate. You should discuss any legal, tax, or financial matters with the appropriate professional. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Registered Representatives offer Securities through The O.N. Equity Sales Company, Member FINRA/SIPC (www.FINRA.org/ and www.SIPC.org). Investment Advisory Services offered through O.N. Investment Management Company and FAI Advisors, Inc., Financial Architects, Inc., FAI Advisors, Inc., and The LifeMethod are not subsidiaries or affiliates of The O.N. Equity Sales Company or O.N. Investment Management Company. We have representatives currently registered in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, and WI.

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Take a Break

A Chat With a Client

Steve and Josie From Pinnacle, Inc.

STEVE AND JOSIE, HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTRODUCED TO FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS? Josie and I met Turner Thompson over 20 years ago as young newlyweds. We were involved in a business venture and met him and his wife, Marsha, through some friends. Almost immediately, we felt comfortable with him. We’ve stuck with the process and are pleased with our experience. Financial Architects definitely puts their clients first. We feel like family for sure. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS, PINNACLE, INC., AND WHAT IMPACT YOU ARE MAKING IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY? Pinnacle, Inc. is a tremendous organization to be part of and is truly making a difference locally. A medical device distributorship in Troy, Pinnacle employs over 50 people, houses a professional mock surgical station, and has traditionally trained over 600 surgeons, fellows, residents, and nurses annually. Our strong culture breeds success and helps to forge long-lasting relationships with the health care community. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE HOLIDAYS AND DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY TRADITION YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE? Family is extremely important, and we hold our traditions very dear to us. We have Italian, Polish, and German heritage and enjoy the food and family camaraderie. We have a great time including our three young children in decorating the house, going sledding, and being generous throughout the season. Also, we both come from pretty large families so we typically have pretty full houses! Unfortunately, things are a little different this year, but we just have to keep positive and things will get better!

Solution on Page 4

KOREAN BEEF RICE BOWLS

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce • 2 tsp light brown sugar • 1 tsp sesame oil • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes • 1 lb lean ground beef • 1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

• 2 tbsp gochujang sauce, or more if desired • 3 cups cooked brown rice • 1 small cucumber, sliced • 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds, plus more for topping • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, 2 tbsp water, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. 2. Spray a deep, nonstick skillet with cooking oil and place over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. 3. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the meat and cook for 1 minute. 4. Pour sauce over the beef, then cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. 5. Divide rice evenly into four serving bowls. Top each with scant 2/3 cup beef, cucumber slices, sesame seeds, scallions, and more gochujang, to taste.

Inspired by SkinnyTaste.com

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Inside This Issue 1 | Why the 2020 Lockdown Made Colleen’s Year

2 | Your Devices Deserve Clean Screens

2 | Book Reviews With Chris Ball

3 | A Chat With a Client

3 | Korean Beef Rice Bowls

4 | Give Yourself the Boost of Getting Outside

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. 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. 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. 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. 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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