Mattson Financial Services - June 2020
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
June 2020
MAKING THE MOST OF THE NEW NORMAL
T he good news is that we are finally past what felt like the longest March, April, and May. As the economy opens back up and people go back to work, it’s important to understand what effect the next few months will have on you as you prepare to enter retirement or if you are already in retirement. Just like the events of 9/11, the pandemic of 2020 will have long-lasting effects that go beyond the few months when we watched it unfold as we were sequestered at home. For the past two years, we have been spending considerable amounts of time, effort, and money on upgrading our systems and processes at Mattson Financial Services. We upgraded to technology we felt best represented the future of our company and our clients. Like so many others, while we were caught off guard in March and April, we had enough of our new technology in place to land on our feet. Our upgrades ensured that our staff kept working and were able to keep a constant eye on your accounts. I’m happy to announce that we were even able to hire two new members to our team, Ben andWyatt. I have no doubt you will learn more about our new team members in the coming months. As always, you can find team member updates on our website, along with relevant information about what we’ve been doing these past few months and what we will be doing in the months ahead. Speaking of what we’ve been doing, in March and April we held three webinars. We discussed portfolio management, our investment
philosophy, and how that philosophy protects clients from disastrous returns by mitigating losses. We also talked about how we’re taking advantage of the movement in the markets going into the summer. While I have all this good news to share, I do have some bad news. In the coming months, it’s very likely we’ll experience another downturn. Why is that? As we go into the third quarter of 2020, we will start to see the reports from the second quarter. We will see the updated unemployment figures along with all the second-quarter revenue losses. On top of that, we’ll know how many small businesses had to close their doors for good. The numbers aren’t going to be promising, but they’re going to represent our new normal for some time. Of course, the economic news will be a small part of our new normal. In the months ahead, more people will be wearing face masks on a regular basis. Everyone is going to look at anyone who has a sniffle or cough and wonder.
For us, our goal is to maintain the quality of service you’ve come to expect. At our office, our new normal will include wearing face masks as well. We will also limit in-person contact for the foreseeable future. While these steps are necessary, they are something I lament. I miss getting hugs from clients when we find a way for them to retire after they thought it would never happen. I miss being able to console our clients or the loved ones of our clients after a dear family member has passed away. I miss the hugs and handshakes. I’m a firm believer that these types of physical contact between people are important. It’s another way we connect with people to show our appreciation, concern, and love. And while we may not be able to express ourselves in this way, at least for the time being, it just means we have to be extra vigilant in expressing our feelings to our loved ones and talking about the good and the bad that is going on in our lives.
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Feeling Renewed at Any Age
2 WAYS TO REVIVE
YOUR LIFE THIS SUMMER
Pay attention to mental health.
If the mercurial spring weather has prevented you from getting out as much as you would have liked these past few months, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever about now. Luckily, you can still introduce positive changes to your life that help you feel healthier and younger. Here are two ways to awaken your body and mind.
Although more years provide more experience and knowledge, sometimes they also come with heavy baggage. The loss of a loved one, trauma, and other struggles can impact your life in later years. This is why it’s good to practice mindfulness. Take some time to focus on the present. Go for a walk and listen to the world around you, feel the fresh air against your skin, fill your lungs, and take in everything you can see. Meditation is also a good way to spend a few minutes to focus on your body in the moment and the things in life that make you happy. Practices like these can help you feel lighter, both physically and emotionally.
Adopt a new activity.
As you get older, it’s not uncommon to drift further from the lifestyle you had in your 20s and 30s. Things have settled down, and you know a bit more about who you are, what you enjoy, and what you’re capable of. With this better understanding, you can make choices more aligned with your true interests and personality. Think about getting involved with a new activity you may have always wanted to try but never had the chance, like yoga or even a video game. Trying out new things keeps your brain active. You may even discover a new favorite activity along the way!
Growing older doesn’t mean you can’t feel renewed and positive. This isn’t just an impossible idea — it’s a reality.
YOUR GUIDE TO THE PERFECT VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR
It’s Time to Raise a Glass!
If you can’t see your friends in person to clink wine glasses or whiskey tumblers, never fear: A virtual happy hour can bring all of your closest pals right into your living room. The concept is simple. Using online meetup programs like Google Hangouts, Zoom, or FaceTime, you can drink with friends across the country without leaving home.
that’s Kentucky Derby or “Harry Potter” (alcoholic butterbeer, anyone?). 3. Write your menu. While you could just drink whatever beer or half-open bottle of
wine is sitting in your respective refrigerators, where’s the fun in that? To really class up your VHH, chat with your friends about the ingredients you all have on hand and come up with a themed cocktail menu to “order” from on the big night. 4. Dress to the nines. Since you’re in the privacy of your own home, you can try out your wackiest, fanciest outfits without public judgment. If you’ve always wanted to try on a Roaring ‘20s flapper dress or a Roman toga, now is the time! Remember, if you go with the “Harry Potter” theme, your bathrobe could easily pass as a wizard’s robe in a pinch. 5. Drink! You’ve planned perfectly, so now it’s time to enjoy each other’s company. Plus, there’s one final perk: Since you’re drinking and giggling on your own couch, you don’t need to worry
If you don’t want to get out of your sweatpants but want to sip a classy cocktail, this is a win-win. But, you can also ditch the sweats and go all-out for the full virtual happy hour (VHH) experience. Here are five short steps to VHH success. 1. Pick your platform. In the days leading up to your VHH, your friends need to agree on a single platform. Once you choose, make sure everyone has downloaded it and encourage your buddies to do a test run to ensure they can be seen and heard. 2. Theme it up. Every party is better with a theme, and VHH is no exception! Considering the decade, Roaring ‘20s is a popular choice, but you can go with whatever floats your friend group’s boat, whether
about a designated driver or an Uber to get you the handful of steps to your bedroom. You’ve got this!
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In the coming months and as 2020 comes to an end, we hope for a return to something we remember as normal, but we can’t predict what the future holds in that regard. We can tell you, however, we have more great technological upgrades coming your way! We’ll share more details in the months ahead, but we’re getting ready to launch a new platform called eMoney. It’s a digital platform where you can see your entire financial life in one place. You will be able to see all the accounts you have with us and the ones you don’t! You’ll even be able to manage your budget and your withdrawals, your wills and trusts, and even your home and auto insurance coverage. As always, if you ever need anything or have questions, then don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re here to put you on the path to a stress-free retirement, and we’ll be with you every step of the way, through the good, the bad, and everything in between.
–Gary Mattson
FIG CAPRESE SALAD Taylor’s
Mattson Financial Upcoming Events Announcement To stay in touch with our upcoming events, follow our Facebook page, YouTube Channel, and visit www. mattsonfinancial. com/events
Inspired by BonAppetit.com
It’s sweet. It’s savory. It’s the embodiment of summer!
Ingredients
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8 oz buffalo mozzarella or fresh mozzarella 8 oz ripe fresh figs, quartered lengthwise
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Flaked sea salt, to taste
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Coarse ground black pepper, to taste
•
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Olive oil, to taste
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Handful of basil leaves, roughly chopped
Directions
1. Tear mozzarella into bite-size pieces. Arrange on a platter. 2. Place quartered figs, flesh up, around mozzarella. 3. Sprinkle basil leaves over top. 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 5. Drizzle with olive oil.
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F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C
3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Say Hello to the New Normal
1 2
How to Feel Renewed at Any Age
Your Guide to the Perfect Virtual Happy Hour
3
Fig Caprese Salad
Mark Your Calendar!
4
Botanical Gardens in the US
**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 Advisor 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.
OUR NATION’S BOTANICAL GARDENS Living Museums
right to you with virtual tours. In addition to the USBG, which offers virtual tours at USBG.gov/take-virtual-tour, check out these other gardens that allow you to explore without having to leave your home.
Chicago Botanic Garden
In 1842, the Wilkes Expedition returned from its trek across the Pacific Ocean on behalf of the United States government, having visited parts of Portugal, Brazil, Antarctica, and Fiji. Among the specimens the explorers brought back from their travels were collections of plants gathered from around the world — just what the young nation needed to start its very first botanical garden. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams had a shared dream of creating a national botanical garden, but the idea didn’t really get off the ground until the Wilkes Expedition brought back the garden’s first plants. The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) was established in Washington, D.C., and four of the plants on display there today are part of the original collection brought back from the expedition.
In the spring, the Chicago Botanic Garden staff invited virtual visitors to join them for a nature moment. Garden staff shared images from around the 17 gardens kept there. The Chicago Botanic Garden continues to wow with virtual tours that, thanks to Google’s technology, make you feel as if you’re really there. Start your tour at ChicagoBotanic.org.
Waddesdon Manor and Gardens
This historic site across the pond in England gives visitors detailed virtual views of theWaddesdon Manor and its stunning gardens. Each day at Waddesdon Gardens, the staff designates a specific area as a “Silent Space,” where visitors can go to disconnect and find peace. The Gardens also created a special message for their virtual visitors that we can all take to heart: “We encourage you to find a space in your garden or in your home that feels peaceful and designate a time each day to enjoy a quiet moment of reflection.”To see this historic site for yourself, visit Waddesdon.org.uk.
Since it’s not always possible to go on vacation and visit far-off gardens, many botanical gardens around the world have started bringing the flora
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