This week I did my annual review with my financial advisor, Zachary Clark, at Fidelity Investments. I want to shout out how thoughtfully and thoroughly he went through all of my accounts and assets. Even more importantly, he took the time to really listen to my goals to make specific recommendations and adjustments to my finances. These times are uncertain and the economy is challenging. It helps to know that this company has my back and is looking out for me. I don’t think it’s true for a lot of financial institutions; it’s definitely true for Fidelity. I highly recommend them.
Below are a few brief bullets about the advice and counsel my financial advisor had. Please keep in mind these are specific to me. That’s the beauty of Fidelity’s goal-based management. It’s designed for me, my financial situation, my goals, and my risk-tolerance. Your plan, because it’s designed for you, could be different.
I acknowledge I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to work hard to get to this point in my financial life. I grew up very poor and struggled financially for many years. To now be in a position to make these choices is a privilege I never take for granted. I’m very grateful.
My plan:
1.) I opened a managed brokerage account
I’m maxing out my 403(b) (my retirement account from my nonprofit employer) and Roth IRA contributions. I have an emergency fund saved in a high-yield savings account. I have no debt. I wanted to know what else I could do.
He suggested a managed brokerage account to help my mid-term (5-10 years) money do more for me. I don’t know what I want to do with that money yet so this option gives me flexibility while also earning more than it would in a savings account. This account is a different goal from my retirement account as I will likely use it for a purpose other than retirement. For example, I may decide to use it to buy a home, start a business, or invest in a business. You may use this kind of account for any goal you want – saving for college, a trip, wedding, baby, etc. No penalties for withdrawal and the potential to earn more interest than I would get by just having it in a CD or high-yield savings account.
2.) I decided not to buy an apartment right now
Interest rates are high. NYC prices and maintenance fees are high. The housing market is uncertain. I have an incredible rental deal. Taking all this into consideration, we decided it makes sense for me to continue renting for now and re-evaluate if and when markets shift. Fidelity has a rent vs buy calculator to help with this decision.
3.) My Roth IRA is now managed by Fidelity, matches my risk profile, and is funded by auto-debit
My Roth IRA has had a 35 / 65 split between stocks and bonds / cash. I’m quite a few years from retirement so it makes sense for it to have the 85 / 15 split my rollover IRA has. (My rollover IRA is the money from 401K and 403b accounts I had with former employers.) I also set up monthly auto-debit from my savings account to my Roth IRA so I make sure to max it out every year. Doing this over the course of the year helps me even out the volatility of the market. Fidelity managing it, with my personalized goals in mind, means I don’t worry about managing it myself.
I hope this info about Fidelity’s tools and advice are helpful. If you’ve got other questions, feel free to ask in the comments or DM me.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
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