Financial Architects - January 2020

Financial Architects - January 2020

JANUARY 2020

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PASSING ON THOSE ‘AHA!’ MOMENTS Asalyn Coachman’s Connection to Clients

When I meet with clients, one of the first things I want them to know is I was once on their side of the table. Over 19 years ago, my husband and I came to Financial Architects to get guidance on how to make the best money decisions to grow and protect our own wealth. We had just moved to Michigan after my husband got out of the Air Force and started working for Chrysler, and we had a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old at home. We thought we had a pretty good understanding of our needs for the future, but Turner Thompson really put things in perspective. I still remember the moment he laid out the possible financial challenges we could face and the daunting thought of what if life did not go as we planned. This included helping us understand our financial value. Seeing how much we were worth stunned us, especially as we connected the dots to what would happen if one of us was not here anymore. This was one of those “aha!” moments for us as a young couple. I certainly had not grasped the enormity of our future financial needs and wants nor what would be needed to accomplish our goals. What I should probably mention is that I earned my bachelor’s in economics from Harvard before heading to law school. That is to say that sitting at that table with Turner, I had a very solid foundation in economics on a large scale — but when

And it is okay not to come in with textbook knowledge of this! Many of my clients are extremely bright doctors and engineers, but they have never had to think about their wealth in these terms. Just as it is their job to be experts in their own respective fields, our team of Financial Architects gets to guide them in this area of knowledge. That is why I was thrilled to join this team a decade ago. At the time, my kids had gotten old enough to where I did not have to be a stay-at-home mom anymore, and I was working as a personal trainer. When Turner learned I was able to start working outside of the home more, he gave me a call, and the rest is history. Joining this firm was one of the best decisions I ever made. but the satisfaction I have gotten from working with FAI is something special. Having raised a family while having a financial coach to turn to help with decision making inspires a quiet confidence. I get to have a very personal connection to the work I’m doing, and helping others reach that same peace of mind is a great feeling. I have worked a lot of jobs in my life, from lawyer to chef to personal trainer,

it came to my family, I had the same basic financial questions I get asked by clients every day. That is why I love my role as a Financial Architect: I get to help families have that same “aha!” moment my husband and I had almost 20 years ago. Over the past 10 years, I have been able to walk clients through the strategic coordination of the four pillars of their wealth. Most people have some working notion of these categories: protection, savings, growth, and debt. However, most of us were never taught to see how all four interact with one another, which is key to leveraging them efficiently.

–Asalyn Coachman

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INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS

CTRL, ALT, DELETE YOUR CLUTTER Tips for National Clean Up Your Computer Month

Everyone relies on technology. Computers, laptops, tablets, and phones are staples of modern life. However, it’s easy for these devices to become cluttered with old photos, files, and general disorganization. Luckily, January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month and an excellent time to get your technology in order.

START BY DUSTING

Over time, computer towers can become clogged with dust, which creates additional, unwanted heat within your computer. Regular cleanings will increase the lifespan of your computer and protect its essential components. Compressed air is great for removing most of the dust and other particulates. If the fans or filters are too dirty, you can remove them from the tower to clean them better. If you use water or liquid cleaning products on them, be sure they are completely dry before placing them back into your computer.

There is a new and exciting venture at Financial Architects as we continue to expand our branding. The Empowering Futures Podcast Network is up and running, providing audio content and programming that features both FAI and The LifeMethod TM . In today’s ever-changing multimedia world, podcasting has become a very powerful tool. We see this as a tremendous opportunity to feature “centers of influence” in our FAI and LifeMethod TM community and bring these 25-minute biweekly shows to our clients and prospects. The two programs that we have developed are called Inside Financial Architects and Living the LifeMethod TM . The first podcast will include guests from the industry, our own advisors, and content based around our core principles here at the firm. There may be a show about how athletes deal with life after their careers are over or how families can begin planning to pay for college. In addition, on Living the LifeMethod TM , we discuss a wide variety of topics with our guests that focus on the four foundations of The LifeMethod TM : Personal, Professional, Financial, and Spiritual. The first show we produced featured a conversation with the co- founder of The LifeMethod TM , Danette Bell. Matt Dery, long-time Detroit radio voice and now Financial Architect’s marketing and communications director, is the host of these shows. You can access all of our podcasts at EmpoweringFuturesPodcastNetwork.libsyn.com or you can subscribe to the shows on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Financial Architects, Inc., FAI Advisors, Inc. and The LifeMethod TM are not subsidiaries or affiliates of The O.N. Equity Sales Company or O.N. Investment Management Company.

ORGANIZE YOUR FILES

Naming and arranging the files on your computer in such a way that they’re easy for you to find can end up saving you a lot of time. Declutter your workspace by creating one file for pictures, one for Word documents, one for spreadsheets, and one for programs to eliminate the hassle of frantically searching for the files you need.

BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER

Be sure to back up your computer before you start deleting things. This acts as a safety net in case you delete something you didn’t mean to. Additionally, consider installing a second hard drive. The extra space can help with storing important files without having to worry about how much room is left.

CLEAN UP SPACE

Any files you’ll never use again should be deleted. Likewise, any programs you haven’t used in a while should be uninstalled. Check your hard drive for files that might be taking up unintended space on your computer. And remember to empty the recycling bin — it’s easy to forget just how much goes in there.

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., and FAI Advisors, Inc. 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, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, and WI.

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Take a Break

A Chat With Our Client

GORDON GLIDDEN FROM INLAND LAKES INSPECTION SERVICES

HOW DID YOU BECOME A CLIENT WITH FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS? I met Mike in 1996 when we both joined the Bloomfield Hills Optimist Club. I became Mike’s client in 2003. We had the same investment philosophy. We expanded my portfolio in 2008 when Cort came onboard and again in 2011. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND WHAT HAS MADE IT SUCCESSFUL? I have been a residential and commercial building inspector for 22 years. I’ve been in nearly 10,000 homes and get paid to look in people’s closets. Real estate is a people business, and the most important marketing is word of mouth. Referrals from Realtors are the way I get work. My success can be traced to treating the customer right and providing services they want at a cost they can afford. I like working with first-time homebuyers because I can teach them things they can use. I lower the angst that is part of nearly every real estate transaction. My job is to get the well-disclosed, well-informed buyer to the closing table. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE TRENDSETTERS WHEN IT COMES TO ROTISSERIE/FANTASY BASEBALL. HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT? In spring of 1949, my uncle Germain G. Glidden sent a sealed envelope to his brother, Nathaniel F. Glidden Jr., with the following note: “Enclosed in the sealed envelope is a list of 10 major-league batters whose sum total average will bat higher than any 10 you can name by the deadline of May 9. Also enclosed is a 10 spot. If you like the idea, pick your 10 tigers and then, at the end of the season, we’ll see who won.” Nat liked the idea so much that he told Dick Mullowney about it, and by the May 9 deadline, four others joined the fray, and the Three Hundred Club was born! The following year, a sterling Tiffany bowl was engraved with the winner’s name and batting average, and this became a yearly tradition. We added additional contests: pitcher’s wins (1957), homers hit (1967), most RBIs (1982), most stolen bases (1994), and the Dimaggio prize (1999) is given to the member who comes closest to guessing the longest hitting streak of the year. We added a weekly contest (2004) for the member with the highest batting average for the week. In 2020, we will be adding another contest for OPS. All results are posted at our website 300club.org. 2018 was the last year that the original bowl could be engraved. We bought a new bowl, and the tradition will continue. We added a smaller pewter bowl for the winner to keep. We have clubs where members get together for more contests among themselves. Frank DeFord, longtime Sports Illustrated sportswriter and friend of Germain Glidden, did research and, while being interviewed on NPR Radio in 2015, determined that, yes, the Three Hundred Club was first. That is why we call the Three Hundred Club “the oldest continuously active contest in sport.”

Solution on Page 4

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SAUERKRAUT

INGREDIENTS • 2 lbs cabbage • 4 tsp fine sea salt EQUIPMENT

• Jar • Lid with airlock • Something to weigh down cabbage, ideally made of a nonreactive material like glass

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove outer leaves from cabbage. Slice very thinly. 2. In a large bowl, combine cabbage and salt. Let stand for 20 minutes. 3. Squeeze cabbage to release juices. Let the cabbage continue to soak and release juices for another 20 minutes. 4. Transfer to a jar and press down cabbage until completely submerged in its juices. Weigh down cabbage. 5. Seal jar with airlock. Let cabbage sit at room temperature and away from sunlight for one month. Once fermented, transfer to the fridge. Sauerkraut will keep for six months to one year.

Inspired by NourishedKitchen.com

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Inside This Issue 1 | From Advisor to Architect 2 | Enter 2020 With an Organized Computer 2 | Inside Financial Architects 3 | A Chat With Our Client 3 | How to Make Your Own Sauerkraut 4 | Real Winter Wonderlands

Escape to aWinterWonderland

THE DOLOMITES, SOUTH TYROL, ITALY

Snow is magical and gorgeous — unless you have to commute in it. If you want to enjoy all the wonder that winter has to offer without the hassle, why not turn it into a vacation? Here are a few breathtaking, snow-covered destinations that any winter lover can enjoy. BULGUKSA TEMPLE, SOUTH KOREA Above the city of Gyeongju, this ancient Buddhist temple has stood on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain since the eighth century. Bulguksa, or “Temple of the Buddha Land,” is South Korea’s No. 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a popular attraction for domestic and international tourism. The crowds and school tours die down during the winter, however, which also happens to be when Bulguksa is at its most pristine. The iced-over lotus ponds and snow-dusted pagodas add to the sense of tranquility this site naturally exudes.

If you want the feel of a ski trip to the Alps without the packed slopes and ritzy resorts, the Dolomites are just for you. Located in northeastern Italy, this stunning mountain range is home to some of the best skiing in Europe, as well as many historical sites. The secluded villages that dot the mountain valleys are an attraction in their own right, especially for the rustic cuisine you’ll find there. Don’t expect pasta though. This region is a melting pot of flavors from Austria, northern Italy, and the local Ladin people. Ricotta and sauerkraut pancakes, anyone? THE ANTARCTIC This is the one entry on this list that is best enjoyed during the summer months, which is December–February in the Southern Hemisphere, because that’s when the freezing temperatures of the southernmost continent are at their most hospitable. The Antarctic has become an increasingly

popular tourist destination, with cruises taking adventure seekers through the vast, untouched beauty of this far-flung destination. Some tourists even enjoy kayaking or cross-country skiing through this icy paradise.

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