Take a look at our November newsletter!
FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
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MattsonFinancial.com
November 2025
Buy vs. Lease: Which Gets You More for Your Money?
A client recently posed an intriguing question: This person had been driving for over 70 years and was still enjoying it, but they accepted that long trips were a thing of the past. Should they buy or lease what might be their last car? With their spouse having passed, they pondered the financial factors behind that decision. Many retirees overlook the potential of leasing when considering a car or even downsizing their homes. It’s easy to feel like leasing is just padding someone else’s pocket. But hear me out: Imagine if the funds earmarked for a car or home purchase were instead put to work, invested to generate a monthly cash flow that covers your needs more swiftly than a Tesla on autopilot? Not long ago, I chatted with a widow (a term I dislike) who, having sold her home, contemplated buying a condo to avoid the burden of home upkeep. By investing her home proceeds into a structured note, we calculated a monthly income that meets her needs, keeping her assets liquid and liberating her from the future potential stress of selling a house under duress. She could lease a condo and pocket additional dollars, funding extra travel and leisure. No worries about HOA fees,
taxes, or maintenance, and if she were to pass on unexpectedly, her lease would end, and assets would transfer seamlessly to her heirs. The same logic applies to cars. Why pour $50,000–$60,000 into a new car that depreciates instantly, possibly triggering taxable disbursements? Investing that amount means she has excess dollars to cover her low-mileage lease payments and enjoy worry-free maintenance. With zero percent lease offers occasionally available, she benefits from manufacturer specials, potentially lowering overall costs. Allow me to share a personal story from 2020, when my mom and stepdad relocated from Florida to Michigan. As many of you know, my mom is 101! They hadn’t sold their Florida property immediately, so they avoided the hefty outlay for a new home in Michigan. Renting in our town proved efficient, and about a year later, when they finally sold their Florida property, they gained 30% over average housing prices in that area, proof of the value to be gained from patience. With November’s crisp air and fallen leaves signaling change, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your transitions. As families
gather for Thanksgiving, sharing stories of the past and dreams for the future, consider how your financial strategies align with your life’s journey. Leasing could allow you to channel your hard-earned savings into new adventures, much like planning the ultimate Thanksgiving feast without the stress of cooking the turkey yourself! Of course, leasing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Factors like available funds, risk tolerance, and personal preferences, like gardening, should all be weighed. Personally, I find joy in mowing the lawn (cranking up AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” as I do), but that’s a story for another day. If a new home or car is on your horizon, consider all your options and see which best suits your lifestyle and financial portfolio. When those moments arise, leasing might just liberate your capital for use in more meaningful ways. Hold tight to your dreams, explore the possibilities, and as always, consult us at Mattson Financial Services, LLC, for tailored guidance.
–Gary Mattson
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Creating a Life You Love in Your 50s and Beyond THE SECOND ACT YOU DESERVE
Who says the best years of your life have a curfew? Midlife isn’t about winding down; this exciting second act is an opportunity to blossom, find new joys, and explore your dreams. If you’re at a standstill or having trouble envisioning the future, small changes and mindset shifts can help you rediscover yourself and find happiness in this part of your journey. From focusing on your health to setting new goals, here are a few ways to make the most of middle age and enjoy the ride. CULTIVATE A HEALTHIER YOU. It’s never too late to focus on your health. If it hasn’t been part of your routine in the past, you can start small with manageable exercises and easy diet changes. Ensure
your meals contain whole foods, like fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and plenty of water. Fitness journals and apps can help you log what you eat and even provide recommendations. According to the American Heart Association, you should also be physically active, exercising at least 150 minutes a week or 30 minutes a day. Daily walks are a simple, low-impact way to get in shape and can be a relaxing way to start or end your day. Sleep is even more critical as we age, so create a healthy bedtime routine. CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE. This new chapter of your story can be one of the happiest times to celebrate who you are. Appreciate the little things in your life, whether
it’s family or watching the sunrise every morning. Gratitude can help you remember everything you have, even when you feel down or not at your best. You can keep a gratitude journal or take a few minutes daily to think about three things you’re thankful for. You get to determine your happiness, so this is a great time to identify ineffective routines or counter-productive patterns over the years and try something different. Establish new habits that put your well-being at the forefront. Don’t compare yourself to the younger you or other people around you. As we age, it’s normal for our bodies to change. Have confidence in your skin now and remember that you are still evolving. This is your beautiful and bold reinvention.
WHISKING UP NEW TRADITIONS THIS THANKSGIVING Fill Your Holiday With Gratitude and Games
The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out some time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you’re thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together. GATHER FOR GRATITUDE Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they’re grateful for.
TURKEY DAY TRIVIA There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards for a post-meal game night. You could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday-themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show. A SOUNDTRACK TO THE STUFFING Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep adding to this list in subsequent years, turning the songs into a playable family history.
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Holiday Office Hours
Nov. 27 Closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 28 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Dec. 24 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Dec. 25 Closed for Christmas Day Dec. 31 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Jan. 1 Closed for New Year’s Day
TAKE A BREAK!
Heidi’s
Apple-Cranberry Salad
Ingredients • 6 slices of bacon • 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette • 1/3 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp raw honey • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta cheese
Directions 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
Solution on Pg. 4
Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
November Musings: Buy or Lease? That Is the Question!
2
The Midlife Mindset Reset
From Thankful Jars to Turkey Trivia
3
Apple-Cranberry Salad
Holiday Office Hours
4
Paradise Found
Reminder: If you have any changes to your financial situation, please notify us as soon as possible. For distribution requests, please provide at least one week’s notice to allow time for placing trades and raising cash.
Investment advisory services offered through Mattson Financial Services, LLC, an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance and annuities offered through Lakeview Financial Group, LLC. Mattson Financial Services, LLC and Lakeview Financial Group, LLC are affiliated companies. Bungalows and Bliss: Tropical Escapes to Savor
Whether you’re looking to book a tropical trip this winter or want to live vicariously through descriptions of dream destinations, this article is for you! From overwater bungalows to swim-up bars, these resorts redefine relaxation in some of the world’s most glamorous getaways. A SPECTACULAR SOUTH ASIAN SOJOURN If you want to add flavor to your wintertime festivities with an international jaunt, the Maldives, just southwest of India, is home to some of the world’s most renowned resorts. Celebrated for its spacious rooms, private pools, and “floating breakfasts,” The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, boasts seven restaurants offering a vast array of global delicacies. Another Maldives mainstay, Soneva Fushi, offers some of the largest overwater villas in the world, perfect for viewing the area’s breathtakingly clear waters. And if you’re a fan of exploring tropical travel via social media, you’ve likely caught an eyeful of Instagram favorite Soneva Jani. This Maldives destination provides guests plenty of playful options, ranging from a waterslide to a trip on one of the resort’s seaplanes.
Of course, an extraordinary vacation doesn’t necessarily mean spending time in an expansive environment. Those looking to balance luxury with a low-key vibe should check out Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, a boutique resort that invites guests to lounge on a private water hammock as their worries wash away. FRESH PERKS IN FRENCH POLYNESIA Outdoor bungalows are also a big hit in Bora Bora. In addition to in-room pools, the Four Seasons Bora Bora resort offers guests a view of Mount Otemanu that all intrepid travelers should experience at least once. Over at the Westin Bora Bora, vacationers can take in the locale’s modern aesthetics while sipping cocktails at its swim-up bar. If you plan to travel with a large group, the two-story Presidential Suites and overwater villas at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui are outstanding options. Not surprisingly, Bora Bora isn’t the only place to visit in French Polynesia. Although the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa tends to book up quickly due to its smaller size, it’s worth trying to get a room for this vacation spot’s famous snorkeling sites alone.
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