Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
APRIL 2023
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How I Found a Passion for Finances TURNING MY HOBBIES INTO A CAREER
When it comes to creating good financial health, you must gain experience to understand the value of money and its impact on you and your family. Sometimes, this experience starts when you’re 16 and you get a car or a job. It can also occur later in life while you’re in college or entering the workforce. But my experience was a tad different. I started to understand the importance of money and finances at an early age because of my father. My dad ensured my siblings and I were conscious of our finances and spending. He taught us why it’s important to budget and leave room for emergencies, and the repercussions if we fail to make timely payments. Although I didn’t understand all the moving parts involved with finances, I knew they were important. Additionally, I knew my father wanted the best for my siblings and me — he wanted to prepare us for adulthood.
Architects, he was a high school teacher who even taught my two younger brothers. He contacted me to learn more about my experience and see if Financial Architects would be a good fit for me. We had an amazing conversation, and we both realized that my goals and values aligned with Financial Architects. So, on Jan. 3, 2023, I joined the Financial Architects family as a financial designer.
Although I’ve only been here for almost three months, I absolutely love what I get to do and whom I work with. I get to assist advisors as they assist clients in all aspects of financial planning. I even have the opportunity to help look into clients’ portfolios and ensure they are in a good spot.
Because of this, I quickly found an interest in finances. I wanted to understand how finances can impact other aspects of your life and
ways you can set yourself and your family up for success in the future. This fascination only intensified as I got older. When I was in high school at U of D Jesuit, my friends and I created a finance club where we looked into the different moving parts of the financial industry and how we could use them in our own lives. As I went through my senior year, I realized I could transform my hobby into a career. So, I decided to make finance my major in college. I loved the material I learned in college — it
“But most importantly, I enjoy working with you — our amazing clients. It’s rewarding and motivating to assist you during your financial journey and help you as you continue to pursue your financial goals.”
It’s been a pleasure to convert my hobbies into a career. I can’t thank Financial Architects enough for the incredible opportunities. But most importantly, I enjoy working with you — our amazing clients. It’s rewarding and motivating to assist you during your financial journey and help you as you continue to pursue your financial goals. I leave my office with a smile daily because of the impact you
helped me dive deeper into my passion for finances and helped me realize I love working on portfolio management and investments. I then knew I wanted to work at a company that focused on these services. So, during college, I worked at several advisory firms, and it helped me gain insight into what the financial industry does. In late 2022, I learned about Financial Architects. One day, as I looked through my messages and posts on LinkedIn, I noticed a message from Matt Dery. Matt had known my family for years; before he joined Financial
all have made on my life. It’s a pleasure knowing that you, your family, and generations to come are more financially prepared because of the work we do with each other. It reminds me of the lessons my father taught me when I was younger — it’s truly amazing to see how everything has come full circle.
I look forward to assisting you in the future!
–Lincoln Yaldoo
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5 Documentaries to Watch on Earth Day
The Financial Architects team recently gathered in Novi for our company’s annual workshop to recap on 2022 and also plan ahead for 2023. It was a great mix of business discussion as well as an opportunity for our advisors and support team to share their experiences from the past 12 months. Our guest speakers this year were Don Tanner and Matt Friedman, the co-founding partners of Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications. Matt and Don have been in the public relations business for close to 20 years. Both started their professional careers in media. FAI’s Annual Workshop INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS
SHARE THE FACTS WITH YOUR WHOLE FAMILY!
Earth Day is coming up on Saturday, April 22. But do your kids know why we commemorate the holiday? Do you? If you don’t know much about the history of environmentalism — or just want to learn more about the state of our planet — consider celebrating Earth Day by watching a documentary as a family. Dozens of fantastic films cover everything from the crusade to preserve our coral reefs to how farmers use soil health to enhance the planet. Here are a few of our favorites. ‘KIDS TAKE ACTION AGAINST OCEAN PLASTIC’ — This short five-minute documentary from National Geographic follows a group of Hawaiian students determined to clean up their local beaches. It’s available for free on National Geographic’s YouTube channel! (If you watch it and love this documentary, check out the PG-rated flick “Plastic Island” on Netflix, which tackles the same issue in Indonesia.) ‘BRAVE BLUE WORLD: RACING TO SOLVE OUR WATER CRISIS’ — This PG-rated documentary about water security takes place on five continents and stars celebrities Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, and Jaden Smith. Check it out on Netflix. ‘EXTINCTION: THE FACTS’ — This hard-hitting documentary from famous nature historian David Attenborough is perfect for kids ages 16 and up. It tackles serious topics like species loss, food and water shortages, and the relationship between climate change and pandemic diseases. “Extinction: The Facts” is available on PBS.org or Prime Video. ‘ KISS THE GROUND’ — Join actor Woody Harrelson on Netflix for an inspiring look at soil, why it matters, and what farmers and activists are doing to save and enhance it — and our food supply. The documentary is family-friendly and rated G. None of these documentaries existed in 1970 when anti- pollution activists came together to create Earth Day, build the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and pass laws to protect our air and water. But they’re a wonderful extension of that spirit! Hopefully, you’ll be able to find time to watch at least one of them this month. After watching, consider taking action and volunteering for a green project near you.
Tanner Friedman is well known in Detroit for being in “the relationship business.” They have a wide range of clients they help with PR and also crisis communications. Don stressed throughout the talk with the FAI team about company culture and how people do business with those they know, like, and trust. Matt shared with our team some great stories about company growth and how “head count is not a measure of success.” Tanner Friedman also shares a similar core value with FAI, which is “Putting the Client First.” Matt and Don discussed how effective that has been for them in retaining business.
The two also took some questions from our team and it was an enlightening back and forth conversation.
For more information on Tanner Friedman, you can check out their website at TannerFriedman.com.
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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Take a Break
Chat With a Client Mike Vartanian and Dr. Erin Baker
Solution on Page 4
Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com
HOW DID YOU GET CONNECTED WITH FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS? Mike met Mike Kucera in a golf league at Brentwood Golf Club in White Lake about 10 years ago. We met up several times after golf league and for lunch, which led to us working with Mike and FAI.
Celebrate Earth Day by eating a tasty and healthy snack — spinach artichoke dip!
INGREDIENTS • 8 oz spinach leaves • 8 oz cream cheese, softened • 1 cup sour cream • 3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts • 1 tsp minced garlic • 1/2 tsp salt
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESSES AND HOW HAVE THEY GROWN OVER THE YEARS. Mike enjoys working at tech startups. His latest venture, Sonical ( Sonical.ai ), will transition devices such as headphones and consumer medical wearables into smart devices by giving users control over these devices using apps, similar to what Apple and Google did for mobile phones. Erin has been a family practice physician in Sterling Heights for 10 years. She loves her coworkers and patients but could do without the one hour-plus commute from Commerce every day.
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided • Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, ring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 4. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 6. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
WHAT ARE YOU TWO MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SUMMER? Warmer weather ...:) Mike likes to golf, and we both enjoy spending time outdoors with our two daughters. Mike is also a talented piano/ keyboard player.
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 | Meet Our New Financial Designer, Lincoln!
2 | Earth Day Documentaries to Watch
2 | FAI’s Annual Workshop
3 | Chat With a Client: Mike Vartanian and Dr. Erin Baker
3 | Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip
4 | Go Fly a Kite!
Fly a Kite Like a Pro 3 Expert Tips and Tricks
Flying a kite is a quintessential spring activity, especially for children. But if you struggled to keep your kite in the air as a kid, you’re not alone. Fortunately, you can use a few simple tricks to significantly improve your skills — and help your child become the best kite-flier on the block.
as you unspool your string will be enough to launch it into the sky. When it’s not windy enough for your kite to take flight, try a long-line launch by unspooling about 50
feet of string in a straight line and then taking off running. Remember that kite-flying simply won’t work on some days. If your kite keeps crashing tail first, it may indicate too little wind, while a head-first kite fall may mean too strong a breeze.
FIND THE RIGHT SPOT. Hopefully, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t fly kites near power lines. Flying it near trees and cars is also a bad idea. It’s best to have at least a quarter-mile open space around you for safety and the best wind conditions. Beaches, empty sports fields, and parks with wide open areas are the perfect places to get your kite airborne.
KEEP IT TIGHT. Launching your kite is usually the trickiest part of the process, but keeping it aloft isn’t always
straightforward. To ensure your kite stays in the air, you must retain tension on the string — but not too much. It’s time to reel out some of the line when the kite begins to tug. But too much string can weigh down your kite and bring it back to earth. When your line starts to slack, slowly spool it in until it feels taut. Keep your eyes on your kite and your mind
HAVE THE WIND AT YOUR BACK. Literally! This position will allow you to watch your kite as it ascends into the air. On a sufficiently windy day, simply holding the kite up by its lowest point and letting go
on the reel, and you’ll be flying like a pro in no time.
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