Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
DECEMBER 2023
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Get to Know CRC Team Members Jan, Stacy, and Carson! Take a Look at the Client Service Side of Financial Architects, Inc.
It’s more than just financial guidance. As the Client Relationship Coordinators (CRC), we want to bring you a new sense of security and comfort when it comes to handling your finances. If you haven’t officially met us yet, we’re the CRC team: Jan Winters, Stacy Grzelak, and Carson Mamo. Each of us is committed to making your experience as smooth as can be. We’re the first line of defense! If you have a question or concern that requires immediate action, we’re the team that will get it done for you. This trio is responsible for helping with many of your financial needs, from money movements to updating and opening accounts, scheduling meetings, and more. Whatever you need, we’re confident we can get it done. Client Relationship Coordinators have an added benefit in this position: We enjoy getting to know you on a more personal level in addition to supporting your financial needs. It’s just what we do, and we love doing it! You can tell how much we enjoy our work by the years we’ve put in. Jan has been part of Financial Architects for 16 years, Carson is coming close to his 6-year work anniversary, and while Stacy has been here a year, it feels like she’s been on the team for years. The CRC team has also recently gone through some structural changes. Yet, with a close-
knit and hardworking team like ours, the transition was a success in no time. With this new structure, we can work as a whole team to support one another. We’ve had the pleasure of meeting new people, working with new advisors, and broadening each of our experiences and knowledge. We also thoroughly enjoy working with each other and if you couldn’t tell, we are more than happy to lend a hand to each other when workloads are high. Each of the CRC specialists have bonds that go way back. Jan has known Stacy since she was a toddler! Before they ever worked together, Jan was friends with Stacy’s mom and attended Stacy’s graduation and marriage. Jan has also known Chris Cousins, President of FAI, since he was 12 years old. As for Carson, he has known Michael Kucera, an advisor at FAI, since he was 4. In addition, well, Carson has two work moms in Jan and Stacy. Coming into work has never been anything but a pleasure. When it comes down to it, we want to share this positivity in the CRC team with Financial Architects clients. When you call us, we want you to hear a smile when we pick up the phone! Your questions and concerns are taken seriously, and we always prioritize your needs in a timely fashion.
The CRC team is happy to help you simplify the complexity of your money decisions. If you ever need help (or a good laugh), just ask for Jan, Stacy, or Carson! –Client Relationship Coordinators Team
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Almost everyone has stayed in an Airbnb or at least heard of the global short-term rental company. Since its inception in 2008, Airbnb has offered listings worldwide. The company has been providing budget options and, more recently, high-end lodging for every type of traveler. But the golden age of Airbnb may be over. U.S. cities have recently tightened restrictions on Airbnb hosts and anyone renting short-term accommodations. The reason is that Airbnb listings have caused local rent prices to skyrocket, especially in tourist destinations like New York City. According to Jorge González-Hermoso, a research associate at the Urban Institute, the Big Apple recently showed more Airbnb listings than actual apartments for rent. More tourists than established owners/renters were living in residential dwellings. AIRBNB REGULATIONS VARY. So, how are cities working toward preserving their communities? By implementing tighter restrictions that severely limit the types of short-term rentals allowed. New York City was one of the first to put what Airbnb called a “de facto ban” on these accommodations. In 2022, the city prohibited owners from renting out a unit for less than 30 days at a time without the host being present in the unit. Cities in California battling inaccessible housing have also released new regulations on Airbnb hosts. Even in San Francisco, where the company originated, hosts must be full-time residents and cannot rent out listings for more than 90 days a year. Dallas has been the most recent to establish regulations, asserting that all short-term rentals are banned from neighborhoods of single-family homes. Short-term rentals in communities with multifamily dwellings are still allowed but must pay the same taxes and fees as hotels. HOW WILL THE HOUSING MARKET BE AFFECTED? As the bans continue to roll out in cities worldwide, many hope this will bring more low-priced properties into the market. While plenty of talk about these changes may encourage real estate investors and homebuyers, the truth is that it might not make a difference. Experts say these short-term rental owners won’t simply start selling their property. Instead, they’ll work around the restrictions and likely transform listings into long-term rentals. Don’t get your hopes up! WHAT DO THESE BANS MEAN FOR THE HOUSING MARKET? The Fall of Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website at Financial Architects, Inc.! After months of hard work and dedication, we are delighted to officially unveil the fresh look and enhanced features that aim to elevate your online experience with us. Our redesigned website boasts a modern, user-friendly interface that reflects our commitment to providing you with the best financial services in the industry. We have not only revamped the aesthetics but also introduced new pages that offer comprehensive insights into our range of services, the history of our firm, and valuable resources to empower you on your journey to live a life of freedom. Whether you are a long- time client or considering Financial Architects, Inc. for the first time, we believe the new website will serve as a valuable tool to access information efficiently. Explore our new website today at FinancialArch.com and discover the wealth of information and resources we have curated for you. We appreciate your continued trust and partnership with FAI, and we are excited to embark on this enhanced digital journey together. INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS
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. Investment Advisory Services offered through FAI Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.
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Chat With a Client Tony and Cheryl Spadafora HOW DID YOU GET CONNECTED WITH FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS? My wife and her late husband started with FAI and had accounts in the early ’90s. These accounts were used to grow wealth for his business and also put their two sons through college. They worked closely with Mike Kucera, and we have been with him ever since. Mike is terrific! When I married Cheryl in 2009, I moved my 401(k) over to Financial Architects. The boys graduated, James from Ferris State and Brandon from UTI. Both have great careers.
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WHAT ARE THE TWO OF YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW? ANY PASSION PROJECTS OR FOCUSES FOR THE END OF THE YEAR? We are both retired. I have been retired since 2007 and Cheryl since 2014. We have been traveling a lot in our retirement and usually go about once a month. We are having a blast! We take two long trips per year. Some of our destinations include Alaska, Italy, Greece, the Baltic Sea, Australia,
Homemade Eggnog Inspired by AheadOfThyme.com
Better than store-bought, this flavorful homemade eggnog is perfect for the whole family this holiday season!
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups whole milk • 1 tbsp vanilla extract • 3 eggs, room temperature • 4 egg yolks, room temperature • 1/3 cup sugar • 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 cups heavy cream • 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
and New Zealand, and we took a riverboat cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Our Alaska trip in 2014 made it all 50 states for me. We enjoy seeing the United States and the world.
For topping • Whipped cream • Ground cinnamon • Extra nutmeg
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON? We enjoy having our family, especially our two grandchildren, over for the holidays. Fynn was born in January 2022 and Dominic was born in October 2022. We have set up accounts for their future education through FAI and Mike. Cheryl enjoys cooking for the family. For Thanksgiving, we had 20 people over for dinner and dessert. It will be the same for Christmas. Cheryl is an outstanding cook specializing in wonderful Italian food and great desserts. The family loves her food. Family and friends are very important to us, especially during the holiday season.
DIRECTIONS
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and vanilla, swirling occasionally until it starts to steam. 2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt for approximately 5 minutes until the mixture is thickened. Slowly add milk and whisk to combine. 3. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring for about 6 minutes. 4. In another large mixing bowl, place heavy cream and nutmeg. Strain egg mixture into the cream and cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours. When chilled, fill a glass with eggnog and top with whipped cream, cinnamon, and extra nutmeg!
This is a testimonial by an existing client of FAI Advisors. No compensation was provided for this testimonial. This client’s experience is not necessarily representative of all clients’ experiences.
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Inside This Issue 1 | How Our CRC Team Builds Client Relationships
2 | Will the Airbnb Crackdown Lead to Affordable Homes?
2 | Inside Financial Architects
3 | Chat With a Client: Tony and Cheryl Spadafora
3 | Homemade Eggnog
4 | Discover the Most Enchanting Christmas Towns in the US
If you’d like to record a client video testimonial, please contact Matt Dery at mdery@financialarch.com or 248-482-3600.
From Snowy Villages to Year-Round Holiday Cheer Explore America’s Most Magical Christmas Towns
It may be too late for less spontaneous travelers to start planning a Christmas vacation. But that shouldn’t stop you from planning next year’s holiday journey! The good news is you don’t need to venture to another continent to find a Christmas wonderland. There are countless picture- perfect Christmas towns across the country. Make your next Christmas trip feel like a Hallmark movie at one of these festive towns! LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON Many have dubbed Leavenworth the most Christmas-centric in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. This Bavarian-style village experiences nearly 96 inches of snowfall every year, and they certainly don’t hold back when it comes to the holidays. The town lights up and decorates almost 21 miles, where you can find reindeer farms, carolers, gingerbread competitions, and Christmas markets. Every step of the way offers an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity!
you can experience parades, horse-drawn carriages, carolers, and the Billings Farm, a local favorite of the season. Stroll down Main Street to witness an idyllic Christmas spot filled with cozy small-town shops and restaurants. NORTH POLE, ALASKA If you ever feel like celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer, we know the perfect destination. North Pole, Alaska, offers Christmas decor and festivities year-round! Here, you can get up close and personal with Santa’s reindeer, meet the man himself, and enjoy the snow that covers the entire town. Be sure to check out their ice sculpture competition, which features artists from all over the world! Ready for the Christmas celebration of your dreams? Start planning your next holiday vacation at any of these destinations, and we promise your dreams will most definitely come true!
SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA A slice of Denmark right in sunny California, Solvang brings endless holiday cheer, especially with their annual Julefest. Pronounced “Yule-fest,” this month-long festival takes place every December and features picturesque events, including a ballerina-filled tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa, culinary delights, traditional Danish celebrations, and much more! WOODSTOCK, VERMONT During Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend, you’ll find the town in peak Christmas mode, where
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