Take a look at our newsletter this month.
DECEMBER 2019
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FROM ADVISOR TO ARCHITECT Mike Kucera on the FAI Difference
From the outside, many people might think that “Architect” is just our fancy
collapse. You need to ensure every piece of the puzzle, from foundation to load-bearing steel beams, fit together to support one another at the outset. That’s exactly how FAI looks at financial health for individuals, families, and small business owners. But this change in thinking wasn’t the only way that FAI broadened my horizons. This firm has shown me what a difference having an incredible support team by your side can make. I can’t give our support team enough credit. They are incredible when it comes to helping us Architects help you. Thanks to their coordination and focus on the details from new business to servicing existing relationships, I’ve been able to give our clients far more personal attention than I would have thought possible as a solo practitioner. I think I speak for all our Architects when I say we’re eternally grateful for our support team’s hard work and dedication. Thanks to them, we can focus on what we do best. That brings me to the other big difference between advisors and Financial Architects: the way we work as a team. In my previous role, every advisor was basically a silo — we all assisted and served our own clients and did our best with our experience and industry knowledge. This “pre-Architect” service model forced many of us to become “advisor generalists.” We each had to be ready to handle all planning scenarios for our clients. As a team member of FAI, we
focus on building our own unique abilities and skillsets while trying to improve our client’s outcomes. We believe FAI’s approach makes far more sense. Financial Architects encourages teamwork while respecting how we each have the choice of selecting our teammates. When a client has a niche need or could benefit from a specialized skill set, we help one another out. For example, I can be brought in to assist my teammates with trust accounts, IRA rollovers, and basically anything else that falls under the umbrella of asset management. In the same way, I can turn to Architects I trust with a strong background in protection to make sure my own clients have the best risk reduction strategies in place. Put simply, becoming an Architect over 15 years ago has built my confidence. Thanks to FAI’s holistic, team-oriented approach, I’m able to provide far more value to my clients than I ever could as an advisor without our support team and associate Architects. The top benefit of this team approach has been my ability to spend more time with my wife Lynda and our three daughters Helena, Caroline, and Keely. Our family likes golf, basketball, and vacationing in Vero Beach. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 888-466-5453 – Mike Kucera
word for financial advisor. That’s essentially what I thought when I came to FAI back in 2004. I’d been a financial advisor at several other firms, including my own firm for 12 years at that point — how different could being a Financial Architect be? As I soon learned, quite a lot. Being a traditional advisor, my sole focus was on portfolio construction. Sure, I had my eye on my client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance but wasn’t seeing the bigger picture. FAI, instead, takes a far more holistic approach. Coming to this firm, I was shown how investments need to be coordinated with protection, such as life and disability insurance. It’s not enough to manage the risk of individual retirement plans and portfolios — to really build a stable financial future, you have to manage the risks faced by the clients themselves. This shift in thinking is what defines a Financial Architect. Like the name suggests, we draw up blueprints for our clients, striving to build their wealth. It’s a fitting metaphor: In architecture, you can’t just focus on one room at a time in the hopes of building a home. That’s a recipe for an unstable, mismatched building that might
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I’mUnderWithheld. What Do I Do? OH NO!
MOVE OVER, RUDOLPH! The 4 Most Underrated Holiday Specials
By Thomas Craig, CPA and Katie Geisinger, CPA, Baker Tilly
When the weather outside is frightful — or your family is on your last nerve — there’s nothing like settling in to watch a classic holiday special. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” hold top spots on the TV guide, but there are plenty of overlooked specials that are sure to delight. Here are a few seasonal suggestions that might become your new family favorites. ‘A MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS’ In this musical masterpiece, Kermit and friends prepare to celebrate the holiday season. What makes this special truly unique are the appearances by characters from “Sesame Street,” “Fraggle Rock,” and “Muppet Babies.” There’s even a cameo from the Muppet creator, Jim Henson, himself. If you can find this holiday special, consider yourself lucky. Complicated copyright laws can make it hard to track the movie down. ‘THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS’ The stop- motion film “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” is one of Rankin/Bass Production’s lesser-known works. Based on a story by L. Frank Baum, the author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” this fantasy epic introduces a new Santa Claus story, one with light elves, wood nymphs, and benevolent immortals. It’s an unusual tale, but the strange elements are what make the story worthwhile. ‘A RUGRATS CHANUKAH’ Praised by critics and audiences alike, “A Rugrats Chanukah” covers the story of Chanukah through the eyes of Nickelodeon’s beloved animated babies. In addition to putting a “Rugrats” spin on the Chanukah story, this special episode also features themes of family and forgiveness. “A Rugrats Chanukah” is a delightful experience for audiences who celebrate Chanukah and those who would like to learn more about the holiday. ‘DOCTOR WHO: A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Here’s one for your nerdy family members. In this episode of the British sci-fi classic, the titular Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space, must save his friends by teaching a bitter old man the true meaning of Christmas. Time travel shenanigans ensue as the Doctor reminds us of the importance of kindness, the value of loss, and the magic of spending the holidays with those we love. This special puts a unique spin on the Christmas Carol formula and is even accessible to audiences who have never seen “Doctor Who” before.
As the year quickly comes to a close, your options for tax planning strategies take center stage. It is early December, and you finally have an idea of what your year-end business earnings are. You had a great year, but with that comes more taxes. You didn’t expect this back in April, so now what do you do? One of the most underutilized aspects in your arsenal is what to do with your year-end bonus. You, as a business owner, have the opportunity to take that bonus and apply it to your tax burden. But this is only if that money is taken in this calendar year. It may be upsetting to not receive that cash, but the taxes and penalties not paid are well worth the disappointment. If you didn’t manage to take your bonus in time, you still have other options. Perhaps a simplified employee pension plan (SEP) is the right thing for you — if your business is profitable. Anytime until the due date, you may contribute roughly 20% of your net income and take that as a deduction. This lowers your tax base and is available upon retirement. Setting up a SEP, especially if you are the only employee, is significantly easier than many other retirement plans. Additionally, because it is after the close of the year-end, it is one of the few options still available. The money will be yours to use in retirement independent from whether the business thrives or not. Sometimes neither of these options will work for your specific situation. We believe your tax planner can still help you. It may be as simple as paying your state taxes first to avoid large penalties and interest or making a fourth quarter estimated payment often due Jan. 15. The only way your tax advisor can help you is if you reach out and provide them with the information. Do not neglect this valuable financial strategy.
May these specials bring you some much-needed cheer and a moment of relaxation this holiday season.
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 GINA AND KEN VAN TINE FROM inFORM STUDIO
Solution on Page 4
HOW DID YOU BECOME CLIENTS AT FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS?
We knew of Jim Linenger and his wife from church through mutual friends. We got together for dinner one night, and we really didn’t know what Jim actually did for a living. Jim told us what he did and, since we were recently married, we had already discussed getting our financials for our house in order. We ended up sitting down with Jim and have been working with him ever since.
CRANBERRY GINGERBREAD
INGREDIENTS
WHAT IS inFORM STUDIO ALL ABOUT?
• 1/2 cup canola
• 1 1/2 cups fresh
oil, plus more for greasing • 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
cranberries, coarsely chopped
We are architects, engineers, and interior designers. We are concerned about design and enhancing the quality of life for the people we are working for ... depending on what the typology is. We want to enhance people’s ability to worship, live, work, and be educated. It is really critical to us to make sure we are listening and giving the client exactly what they are looking for. We want to help them understand there may be a lot more to their vision than they originally realized. We had a client one time tell us we made them rethink what they thought they already knew because we ask a lot of questions. Our crew at inFORM definitely reads between the lines.
• 2 cups
all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp ground cloves • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 large eggs • 1 tbsp fresh
ginger, peeled and finely grated
DIRECTIONS
WHAT MAKES YOUR COMPANY STAND OUT FROM THE COMPETITION?
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease a loaf pan with canola oil. 3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1/2 cup canola oil, molasses, brown sugar, eggs, ginger, and cranberries. In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until blended. 4. Scrape batter into loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes. 5. Transfer to a rack, let cool for 20 minutes, slice, and serve.
Our values come through in design. One of the things we always strive to do is to be visionary. With that being said, not everybody in the company is a visionary, but we as a team strive to be visionary. We want people to be proud of what they are doing. We want people to love to live, work, worship, and be educated in the buildings we design and really make an impact on the community and the people who are using the buildings. In addition, our firm is committed to designing environments that are culturally restorative and sustainable.
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
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Inside This Issue 1 | From Advisor to Architect 2 | Your New Favorite Holiday Special 2 | I’m Under Withheld. What Do I Do? 3 | Gina and Ken Van Tine From inFORM Studio 3 | Cranberry Gingerbread 4 | Yurts: Glamping at Its Finest
Yurt Sweet Yurt
The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent.
TREEBONES RESORT, CALIFORNIA For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day. SPRUCE HOLE YURT, COLORADO Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow-lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails are plentiful in this
backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold. FALLS BROOK YURTS, NEW YORK For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.
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