Financial Architects - March 2021

MARCH 2021

www.financialarch.com

888-466-5453

HOW MY QUEST TO IMPROVE MY FINANCES TURNED INTO A CAREER Meet Carly, Our New Direct Relationship Coordinator

Do me a favor: Raise your hand right now if you graduated from college with a liberal arts degree. Anyone? I know if I were reading this, my hand would be in the air. About six years ago, I left school with a degree in psychology and absolutely no idea what I wanted to do for my career. There were so many possibilities that it felt too overwhelming to pick just one. So, I started working as an administrative assistant at a health insurance company, hoping to figure things out once I joined the workforce. While I didn’t know which direction to take for my career, I knew if I ever wanted to achieve the life I had always imagined for myself, I needed to get my finances in order. Back then, I was staring down the barrel of student loan debt, with an almost empty savings account and little to no knowledge about personal finances. So while I was working at my first job as an admin, I took advantage of the hours spent printing contracts and making copies and listened to personal finance podcasts. I also spent a lot of my personal time researching ways to save money and pay down debt. To my surprise, what started off as a way to educate myself and get ahead in life turned into something that I was really passionate about. Soon, my finances turned around. I started paying down my credit cards and saving every dollar I could. At that point, I knew enough about personal finances that if someone asked a question about saving money or budgeting, I could chime in with an answer and share what I had learned during my research.

Answering those questions felt good! At one point in college, I’d wanted to become a teacher, and my conversations with friends about financial services reminded me how much I loved teaching. That’s when the lightbulb went off in my head: People do this for a living! I started doing more research into a career in financial services and found that I could combine my two passions of teaching and finance. So, I made the decision to get out of health insurance and started working in financial services. I started out working at Northwestern Mutual. For over a year, I worked diligently to meet with new clients while, at the same time, studying for the necessary licensing I needed to become an insurance agent. But all that hard work came to a halt when COVID-19 hit the U.S. and I found myself unemployed for the first time in my life. Then, in October 2020, after months and months of applying for jobs, I found Financial Architects. It didn’t take long for me to realize the role of direct client relationship coordinator is a perfect fit for me. I’m working directly under one of our financial planners, Nick Sanchez, and my main focus is managing his clients and making sure they are taken care of. Some of my responsibilities include prepping paperwork for Nick’s clients and communicating with them to make sure they are in the loop on everything. On top of that, I schedule meetings for Nick and help him prepare by gathering account statements, investment summaries, and more. To some people, my job might sound boring, but for me, it’s something I enjoy. If you had told me at my college graduation that I’d be

working at a small financial planning firm, I would not have believed you. But to my surprise, I am now working at a great company, in a field that I am actually passionate about. And because every day is a learning experience, I get to continue my education in personal finances. Speaking of which, thanks to my initial goal of getting my own finances together, I now have all my credit cards paid off, a great credit score and more money saved than ever before. All it took was a lot of research, a tight budget, and the vision, goals, and discipline to stick to it. Outside of work, I’ve picked up a few hobbies. I love a good story, so I’m always reading a book. I spend the majority of my free time with my partner, David, and our Aussiedoodle (Australian shepherd/poodle mix), Arlo, who we take on tons of adventures outside. I’m always working on my personal development and learning new skills. Currently, I am taking night classes to learn web development. I look at every day as a learning experience, both at FAI and in my personal life. I’m so grateful and proud to be on the Financial Architects team, and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Thanks for reading, and I hope to meet you soon!

888-466-5453 – Carly Ginzinger

1

INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS SUPPORT TEAM

Our FAI support team continues to take excellent care of our clients. The end of the year is always busy, so we thought we'd go inside the minds of two of our veteran client specialists and get some perspective. WHAT IS SO REWARDING ABOUT TAKING CARE OF CLIENTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR? Sherry Hanford: It is always a nice feeling to help a client and meet their needs and expectations, but it is even nicer around the holidays. People just seem to be happier in general, and you can almost feel people smiling over the phone. Jan Winters: I honestly love the hustle and bustle and flurry of activity at year end. It is the busiest time of the year, and I enjoy helping clients with their charitable contributions, IRA distributions, and setting up new accounts. I love watching new clients go through the process and see how pleased they are that they were introduced to Financial Architects! WHAT WAS 2020 LIKE FOR THE SUPPORT TEAM AT FAI? Jan: This was a year like no other in my entire 40 years of working. There is always a lot we can learn during a crisis situation. I learned I could work from home and that I really loved it. We had to learn a new way of conducting business, and we came together as a team to help each other when needed. Sherry: It took the support team for a wild ride. We all had to acclimate to what has become the new normal. For me, being the only support person who has been coming to the office the entire time, it has been business as usual. Actually, it has been busier for me, as I've had to wear a few more hats than I normally do. HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY HELPED OUR PROCESS AND HOW HAS IT HELPED YOU? Sherry: Being able to use technology that was available or became available has really helped. One of the big things that has helped me is the ability to do mobile check deposits for some of the accounts. It gets the clients’ money working quicker for them. Jan: You have to stay up on technology for sure! I am thankful that my three kids have made sure I keep up! Web meetings, remote desktop, and, best of all, DocuSign were brought into our world! That has been a huge time saver for us as well as the clients! Great advances were made with technology in 2020 and will make things going forward so much more efficient!

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS ...

Scrub the Microwave

Lemons don’t just add a tart flavor to your favorite desserts or cool you down in a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. In addition to bold flavors, lemons also have powerful cleaning properties. Their acidity and oils cut through grease and can sanitize many of your household items. The best place to clean with a lemon is in the kitchen. For the microwave, simply juice a whole lemon into a bowl of water, then plop the used peels into the bowl. Microwave the mixture for a few minutes, let the bowl cool before removing it, then wipe away the grease in the microwave. You can also use this method for your oven. For odor-blocking properties, you can use a lemon as an air freshener. Leave half of a lemon in your refrigerator to trap and block potential smells and toss old lemon rinds down the garbage disposal. Run the disposal to clean the blades and freshen up the sink. As for your kitchen tools, don’t toss them out without trying this lemon trick first. Start by sprinkling salt on a wooden cutting board, then slice a lemon in half. Using half the lemon (flesh-side down) like a sponge, scrub the board really well. Wipe and remove the leftover lemon juice and rinse the board before using it again. Not only will the board appear cleaner, but it also won’t smell as bad, and the bacteria will be gone. You can also use this method to polish dining ware, spruce up copper, and even remove stuck-on food from plates. Now, here’s the real secret: Once you master kitchen cleaning a la lemon, you can use these same principles to clean other parts of your house. For example, salt and lemon can be used to scrub grimy sinks and faucets, while a few squeezes of lemon juice in a cup of water makes an excellent cleaning solution for mirrors and windows. You can even make your own reusable cleaning spray by fermenting lemon peels — and the peels of other citrus fruits — in white vinegar for two weeks. Remove the peels after two weeks and spritz the mixture over surfaces you need to clean!

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.

www.financialarch.com 2

Take a Break

Chat With a Client Steven Winters

1. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS?

My wife, Jan Winters, and I have been fortunate enough to work with Financial Architects for many years. Jan has actually worked at FAI for over 14 years and serves as the firm’s executive assistant.

2. YOU RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A BIG LIFE EVENT WITH RETIREMENT. TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER AND WHAT IT MEANT TO YOU.

I started with my company, BASF, at 17 as a clerk. I continued to grow with the company and was highly involved day to day in the automotive paint industry in everything from color concepts to manufacturing processes. Most recently, I was a senior tech rep there before I decided to retire. Working for the same company for my entire career has been a pleasure. I enjoyed watching the industry grow and change.

Solution on Page 4

3. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?

Some relaxation and not starting my day at 4 a.m. More golfing and boating as well! I look forward to joining my golf buddies during the week as well!

GREEN GODDESS SMOOTHIE

If you’re looking to get your green on, why not try this light smoothie?

INGREDIENTS • 1 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

• 1 1/2 cups fresh organic spinach

• 1 organic apple,

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

peeled and chopped

• 1/2 medium avocado

• 1 medium frozen banana

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large, high-powered blender, add all ingredients.

2. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, or until all ingredients are well combined.

3. If necessary, add more almond milk to thin the smoothie.

4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

3 888-466-5453

39395 W. 12 Mile Road Suite 102 Farmington Hills, MI 48331

888-466-5453 www.financialarch.com

Inside This Issue 1 | How My Quest to Improve My Finances Turned Into a Career 2 | The Best Cleaning Tool Can Be Found in Your Kitchen

2 | Inside Financial Architects Support Team

3 | A Chat With a Client

3 | Green Goddess Smoothie

4 | 3 Irish Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List

3 Irish Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List

Traveling to Ireland might not be an option for you right now, but like a leprechaun hoarding gold, you can still fill up your bucket list with all of the pubs, rolling hills, and lucky sites you’d love to see. This month when you’re planning your trip to Dublin, Galway, or Cork, add these spots to your itinerary. THE OLDEST BAR IN THE WORLD — ATHLONE, COUNTY WESTMEATH When Sean’s Bar closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire country of Ireland groaned. The pub is famous for its Irish whiskey, music, and history, which stretches back to 900 A.D., far enough to earn it the title of “Oldest Bar in the World.” As of this writing, Sean’s is slated to reopen when it’s safe again, and considering it has already survived the bubonic plague and the Spanish flu, odds are good that it will make it through this, too! Soon, you’ll be able to raise a glass in the same rooms where the noblemen of nearby Athlone Castle shared drinks in the 12th century. Find more historical tidbits at SeansBar.ie. IRELAND’S SPOOKIEST CASTLE — COOLDERRY, COUNTY OFFALY If you’re a fan of thrillers and true crime podcasts, you won’t want to leave Ireland without visiting Leap Castle. This 16th-century haunt was built by the fierce O’Bannon clan, who famously ordered two brothers to throw themselves off a rocky cliff as a test of strength.

The survivor was named clan chief, and later Leap Castle was built on that very site — beginning its long and bloody history. Read more about its haunted priest’s house, murder hole room, and bloody chapel at LeapCastle.net and meet the many ghosts that haunt its halls. A FAMOUS SMUGGLERS’ SHORTCUT — NEWCASTLE, COUNTY DOWN Get ready to tie up your hiking boots! This roughly 2-mile hike, called Hare’s Gap, is one of the most famous and beautiful routes in Ireland. When you climb through this pass in the Mourne Mountains, you’ll be rewarded with views of glacial cliffs, boulder fields, and ancient-looking stone walls. Legend has it that the pass was part of the Brandy Pad smuggling route, used to ferry goods like soap, leather, spices, and coffee.

Safe travels, and ádh mór (good luck)!

www.financialarch.com 4