F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
December 2017
The More Things Change …
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Let me explain. As you’ve heard, the Department of Labor (DOL) is rolling out new requirements for financial advisors. These are new fiduciary standards. If you’re not familiar with what a fiduciary is, here’s an example. I had a client who wanted to buy Tesla stock. We waited until both the price and timing were right for her portfolio. On the day of the purchase, we exercised her purchase at 10:10 in the morning. That same day, at 2:30 in the afternoon, I purchased Tesla stock for my own portfolio. However, at 2:30, my share price was 9 cents cheaper than my client’s. So, I acted in her best interest. She received my purchase price, while I got hers. By putting my client in the best possible position, I’m acting as a fiduciary. I bring this up not because I’m advocating for Tesla stock, but because of what the new DOL rules want fiduciaries to do — or to not do. As many of you know, we’ve been doing taxes for our clients for years. Under the new rules, the DOL does not want financial advisors to file taxes for their clients. The DOL feels this could potentially be self-serving for the advisor, as they may suggest tax saving strategies that may have financial incentives for the advisor. So, the DOL wants fiduciaries, such as ourselves, to stop doing taxes for our clients. To go along with this, we also lost our CPA due to a conflict of interest related to his full-time employer. He could not fulfill the needs of his employer and our clients year-round. It’s not all bad news, though. We have partnered our firm with Becky Van Dort. She’s an accountant and tax preparer, and Becky’s committed to preparing and filing our taxes, as before. She is also available year-round and spends time in our office on a weekly basis.
How does this fit in with the new DOL rules? Becky is independent from us. She will not be working directly for Mattson Financial Services. However, she will be available at both of our offices two to three select days a week. You can call us for specifics. By partnering with Becky, this allows us to continue to bring you the best resources to allow us to keep you in the best position possible. While some things have changed, in many ways, they remain the same. this: At Mattson Financial Services, LLC, we will, each and every year, look for the best ways to serve our clients, putting their needs first. That’s the gift of giving that all of us at MFS are committed to; we work for our clients’ interests. And remember, the first Friday of each month we open our doors so you don’t need an appointment. You can come in, hear updated financial news from the portfolio managers So, as this holiday season unfolds and you join your families’ traditional gatherings, remember
themselves, get any service you desire, and have your questions answered. That’s truly a money mentor. We make sure you are informed and protected to get you to and through retirement. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your taxes, give our office a call at 1-800-536-8907. As always, we thank you for your business and allowing us to serve as your financial advisors. As a way to express our gratitude, we’d like to invite you to join us on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. at Celebration! Cinema South for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”We invite you and your guests (18 years or older) and are excited to watch with whomever comes along. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to seeing what the new year has in store for us all! –Gary Mattson
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
www.MattsonFinancial.com | 1
Creative Gift Wrap Alternatives
FUROSHIKI Fabric is an excellent substitute for wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps of fabric fromold projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as“functional fabric origami,”you’d be amazed at how a fewwell-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, fromboxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/furoshiki- instructional-videos. You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able tomake your gift wrap just as special. Find amethod that’s uniquely you and get started!
There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap alternatives to consider this holiday season. BROWN PAPER BAGS With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present
into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old-timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild. OLD MAPS AND CALENDARS These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in GPS, so you probably won’t need the map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. If you still have an old map, why not use that for wrapping? The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind. And don’t worry if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents.
HEADLINE
Article
Must be 18+ to attend.
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
2 | 616-514-3831
THE RIGHTSIZING RETIREMENT REVOLUTION
Are you ready to set out on a grand adventure? Many people spend their entire lives thinking about the exotic locations they want to explore, only to let the opportunity slip through their fingers. Stop dreaming about adventure and make it a reality with these top-of- the-line travel companies.
Grand Circle Travel
Established by AARP founder Ethel Andrus, Grand Circle Travel specializes in affordable tour packages that let travelers focus on a true local experience. Your tour can include language lessons, visits to neighborhood schools, and home-hosted meals with local families, all of which allow you immerse yourself in the local culture. If you’ve been dreaming of a nautical adventure, Grand Circle Travel also boasts an impressive fleet of small ships for ocean sailing and river cruises. Satisfy your wanderlust by visiting gct.com. Looking for an adventure that will also quench your thirst for knowledge? For over 40 years, Road Scholar has dedicated itself to creating memorable and educational global travel experiences. Road Scholar crafts vacations that match your interests, group size, and desired activity level. Go on a maritime expedition with your grandchild in Hawaii or enjoy a solo adventure to the ancient ruins of Egypt or Greece. It’s like taking a semester abroad in college, but with fewer essays to write. Start planning your dream vacation at roadscholar.org. Have you ever wanted to travel the world and help make the planet a better place? Then it’s time to consider “voluntourism.”Take the international trip you’ve always wanted by donating your time in a meaningful way. The experts in “aging with attitude” at Senior Planet celebrate Globe Aware for its success in catering to the adventurous and the generous. Learn how you can volunteer with orphans or help clean up coral reefs at globeaware.org. Road Scholar Globe Aware
MARY’S CHRISTMAS STAR COOKIES
Ingredients
•
2½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
•
¼ cup coconut oil, melted
•
5 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
•
½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt
•
¼ teaspoon baking soda
•
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
•
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine
6. Remove top piece of
almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 2. In a small bowl, mix coconut oil, agave, and vanilla. 3. Mix wet ingredients into dry. 4. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick.
parchment paper and dust dough with almond flour. 7. Cut out cookies with a small star cutter. 8. Using a metal spatula, place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 9. Bake at 350 F until edges are lightly browned, 5–8 minutes.
There will never be a better time to take the trip you’ve dreamed of for years. Adventure is out there; don’t keep it waiting any longer.
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Recipe courtesy of TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com.
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
www.MattsonFinancial.com | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C
106.9 FM and 1300 AM Saturdays from 6 – 7 a.m. Sundays from 11 a.m. — 12 p.m.
3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
New Requirements for Financial Advisors
1 2 3 4
Stop Wasting Gift Wrap! The Last Jedi Mary’s Christmas Star Cookies Are You Financially Prepared for Retirement? Fun Events in December
**Reminder: If you have any changes to your financial situation, please notify us as soon as possible.
Investment advisory services are offered through Mattson Financial Services, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser in the state of Michigan. Insurance products and services are offered through Lakeview Financial Group, LLC. Mattson Financial Services, LLC, and Lakeview Financial Group, LLC are affiliated companies.
December Adventures
PUZZLE ROOM: QUEST FOR CONVICTION Grand Rapids Public Museum 272 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Looking for something to do indoors? Head to the Grand Rapids Public Museum! There are many great exhibits running through the end of the year, including The Puzzle Room. This interactive exhibit gives your group one hour to solve a mystery related to the 1916 Peck murders. You get to search the museum’s archives, piece together clues, and work together to arrive at a conviction. It’s a great way to learn about a piece of Grand Rapids history. Visit grpm.org/puzzleroom for more information.
WINTER-TIME WALKS Through Jan. 6, 2018 Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
YULETIDE EATINGS Dec. 16, 2017 Downtown Market Grand Rapids 435 Ionia Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
1000 East Beltline Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
If you want to do something outdoors, the Winter-Time Walks are for you. Your whole family can bundle up and head out to the Children’s Garden for an educational walk. The stroll culminates around the hearth in the log cabin. It’s a great way to spend an active hour with your children or grandchildren. See meijergardens.org for more details.
Want to learn more about the baking arts? If you’ve ever wanted to make a Bûche de Noël, or Yule log, but haven’t had the confidence, you won’t want to miss this class. You’ll learn the fundamentals of creating this classic holiday dessert, and you’ll be baking with the best of them by the end of the night. You can find more information at downtownmarketgr. com/classes-events/yule-tide-eatings.
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
4 | 616-514-3831
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook HTML5