Take a look at our newsletter this month.
DECEMBER 2020
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GET COZY WITH CHRIS’ WINTER READING LIST 8 Books to Try for National Read a New Book Month
• ‘MINDSET: THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS’ BY CAROL DWECK : If you only read one book on my list, make it this one! “Mindset” is all about achievement and potential, so it’s the perfect lead-in to a new year. In it, Dweck talks about the difference between a “fixed” mindset and a “growth” or “open” mindset and how to cultivate the latter. The upshot is that folks with a growth mindset feel that they can do anything if they apply themselves, while people with a fixed mindset feel limited by their abilities. This is the book that encouraged me to make a late-in-life career change from IT to financial planning, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It should be required reading! GENIUS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN’ BY DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN : This is my favorite presidential biography, and it inspired Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln.” It paints an amazing picture of Lincoln and reveals how he was able to surround himself with brilliant people by setting aside their respective differences. SPRINGSTEEN : This autobiography is deeply personal. Reading it, I learned a lot about Springsteen and how hard he worked to achieve professional success. I already liked his music, but I came away with a new respect for him, and I think you might, too. • ‘TEAM OF RIVALS: THE POLITICAL • ‘BORN TO RUN’ BY BRUCE
• ‘OTIS REDDING: AN UNFINISHED LIFE’ BY JONATHAN GOULD : Otis Redding is one of my favorite singers, and his tragic death is as intriguing as his discography. This book tells the story of Redding as a young, dynamic, talented man whose life was cut short by a plane crash. • ‘PEAK: SECRETS FROM THE NEW SCIENCE OF EXPERTISE’ BY ANDERS ERICSSON AND ROBERT POOL : Ericsson has studied excellence and accomplishment for years, and in this book, he and Pool dive into why you have to put in a tremendous amount of time and energy in order to get good at something. This was a great reminder to me that very few people are naturally gifted, and even the "gifted" ones have to work hard to succeed. RICHARD EVANS : I know that long books about World War II aren’t for everyone, but if you are a history buff, then you don’t want to miss this trilogy by British historian Richard Evans. It’s fascinating and informative, and it gave me a taste of what it would have been like to live in that time period. • ‘THE THIRD REICH TRILOGY' BY I hope this list inspires you to pick up a new book (or two, or five). Stay tuned for more of my book reviews in "Eye On The Ball" here in this newsletter coming soon. Happy holidays and happy reading!
Let’s play two truths and a fiction. I’m going to give you three statements about me, and you have to guess which one is made up. 1. My mother is from Bavaria, and I’m a little bit obsessed with German culture. 2. I’ve worked at Financial Architects for five years. 3. I read three or four books a week, every single week. Believe it or not, the fiction is No. 2! My name is Chris Ball, and I really am a Germanophile and a bookworm. If we haven’t met yet, that’s probably because contrary to No. 2, I’m still one of the new guys at Financial Architects. I came on board as a financial advisor back in March of this year, right around the time the world went crazy. Since then, I’ve been hard at work helping my clients create their business, estate, and retirement plans. I love getting to know people, building relationships, and helping my clients make wise financial decisions. When I get off work, I also love to settle in with a good book, which is why I’m writing to you in this month’s newsletter. December is National Read a New Book Month (although it vies with September for the title), and I couldn’t resist jumping in to share a few book recommendations. I love reading the biographies of presidents and musicians as well as books on historical events and personal development. Here are just a few of my favorites.
888-466-5453 – Chris Ball
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INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS
Catching Up With Ken
Sustainability is the gift that keeps on giving, so if you'd like to give a gift to the environment this December, make your holidays anti-plastic! Here are five ways you can use the latest eco-friendly technology to make sure your Christmas is just as convenient as ever. SET UP RECYCLING BINS. Nobody wants to sort through trash on their holiday, especially if you’re hosting all the parties! To avoid dealing with the waste, set up recycling and composting bins before any home holiday festivities. It’ll make your next trip to a local recycling center so much faster because everything will be organized and easier to manage. USE PAPER CONTAINERS FOR LEFTOVERS. Give your celebration a restaurant-from-home feel by storing and giving away leftovers in paper containers rather than plastic. Paper will dissolve and leave behind much less chemical residue than plastic. Want to make it look extra posh? Stamp the exterior with the family initials! CHANGE UP YOUR GIFT WRAP. Why use wrapping paper every year when you can make your packaging extra interesting, colorful, and creative? Use newspapers, magazines, comics, posters, maps, or even art by your kids to conceal your gifts this year. RENT, BORROW, OR RETHINK YOUR TABLEWARE. If you’re missing proper tableware for your holiday celebration, don’t despair — some companies will actually let you rent out their dishes for your special evening! You can also borrow tableware from friends and family. But you don’t have to use metal tableware. Try following another culture’s customs and serve your food on local ingredients, like palm leaves, coconuts, or wood. LOCALIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. If you can buy ingredients like fresh meat or vegetables from local farms, you won’t use as much plastic packaging and you’ll support small businesses at the same time! Never buy one-use plastics if you don’t have to. For every holiday tradition, ask yourself: Can I reduce, reuse, or recycle any components to this? We hope you have a happy, eco-friendly holiday! 5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY EXTRA ECO-FRIENDLY THIS YEAR
1. HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED TO YOUR NEW ROLE AT FAI? TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT. As we look in the rearview mirror, we can clearly see when we have passed from one season in life to another. It is often during those very changes that growth opportunities are the most pronounced. Just this week, I heard someone say that without friction, there cannot be any traction. When Pat and
Chris completed the purchase of FAI in 2019, I moved into the role of a consultant to them while continuing to be a coach in FAI University. It is a win-win for everyone, as I can be very focused on only a few things, including working with Nick on client service, while the owners and management team lead the firm into a bigger future.
2. WHAT WAS THE PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT OF 2020 FOR YOU?
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. 2020 introduced the need to be creative on steroids. For roughly six weeks in the early March to mid-April period, we were all suddenly introduced to serious uncertainty. Embracing a "so what, now what?" mindset, we forged our way into higher levels of productivity and delivered value to our clients. 2020 also presented our lifetime clients and advisors confirmation that the Financial Architecture Experience™ was created for just these seasons of uncertainty. The principles that support the truth of our process were tested in 2020, and they passed with flying colors.
3. WHAT FORECAST DO YOU SEE FOR FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS IN 2021 AND BEYOND?
At Financial Architects, Inc., we believe everyone has the potential for a greater net worth, higher levels of retirement income, and a larger financial legacy for their loved ones than they are on pace to achieve. When you stop and think about that statement for a minute, you would have to agree that the key word here is "potential." Since that will always be true to varying degrees, our ideal lifetime clients will continue to rely on us to make progress on Empowering Financial Freedom® for them and their families. Forever.
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
Getting to Know Cameron R. Getto
1. HOW DID YOU CONNECT WITH FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS?
A former colleague called me out of the blue one day. He had remembered a conversation in which I lamented the fact that I would probably never be able to retire following a divorce in my late 30s and after putting four children through college. He introduced me to Chavez Vincent, and I have been a client ever since.
Solution on Page 4
2. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Zausmer, P.C. is a law firm best known for resolving complex legal matters with a creative and pragmatic approach. We are proud of our reputation for vigorously litigating contested cases when a negotiated resolution is not possible or desired. Our lawyers are known not only for their commitments to personal service and expertise in their respective areas but also because they are immaculate professionals. We believe a lawyer does not need to be a jerk to be an effective and successful advocate. Although some disputes certainly call for an aggressive approach, it is important to know how to be appropriately aggressive without being offensive and when to turn it off. I am most encouraged and excited about the entrepreneurial spirit embodied by so many of our newer lawyers. They want nothing more than to successfully build a practice that helps their clients succeed, and their dedication shows in their enthusiasm, work ethic, and advocacy.
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (plus extra for rolling cookies)
• 2 cups flour • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
3. WHAT DO THE HOLIDAYS MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
The holidays are synonymous with family, generosity, and togetherness. We often host our extended family for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. It's a wonderful opportunity to get everyone and their kids under the same roof playing games, cooking, and shopping together. It's a time to shift focus away from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life and revel in the company of those closest to us.
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 2. Using a mixer, cream butter in a large mixing bowl. 3. Add the vanilla, then gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. 4. Sift flour, measure, then sift again with the salt. Add gradually to the butter mixture, then add nuts and mix well. 5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. On an ungreased baking sheet, place tea cakes 2 inches apart. 6. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. 7. Let cool slightly, then remove cakes from the baking sheet and roll in powdered sugar. Place on a cooling rack to cool completely. 8. Before serving, roll cookies in powdered sugar again.
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
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Inside This Issue 1 | 8 Books to Try for National Read a New Book Month 2 | 5 Ways to Make Your Holiday Extra Eco-Friendly This Year 2 | A Chat With Our Founder Ken Grace 3 | A Chat With a Client 3 | Russian Tea Cakes 4 | Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed
ADriver’s Guide to Safe Holiday Travels Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed
On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way. Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by
adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger. At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little-known items you
should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.
Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!
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