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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
February 2020
A Dinner to Remember WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE STEAK AND LOBSTER
G enerally, I don’t like to pass along personal client stories unless I have specific written consent from the client. Recently, a client asked me to share their story — a story set in the month of February and on Valentine’s Day. For the past 27 years, our client has taken his wife to a steak and lobster dinner. They have an agreement that every Feb. 14, they go to dinner together and enjoy steak and lobster, specifically. This started as a tradition on the day the client asked his wife to marry him on Feb. 14 all those years ago. In celebration of their engagement, they went out for, you guessed it, a steak and lobster dinner. When this client first came on board, he told me, “Whatever happens, I want to be guaranteed that steak and lobster dinner every Feb. 14.” I said we could do that, and he became our client. So far, we’ve helped him achieve this goal. Even in 2008, when the markets went negative, our client could still take his wife out for their standing Valentine’s Day date. He could do it because his portfolio gave him the confidence he needed to make the perfect dinner happen. This is because his portfolio included annuities. His annuities kept his portfolio out of a loss position, so even during the Great Recession, he and his wife enjoyed steak and lobster every year.
Annuities do not act like bonds. Bonds do not act like stock. Stocks do not act like real estate. Everything serves a distinct purpose in your portfolio — and that includes gold. Annuities are a great way to always have the availability of income, no matter what the market does. When you’re invested in the stock, you have to deal more with the ups and downs of the market. You can take advantage of market movements, but there’s no guarantee you’ll come out on top at the end of the year. To put things into perspective, 2019 was a great year for the stock market, but when you mix in the losses from late 2018, 2019 turns out to be an average year, which equals average returns, if that. Despite record numbers, most people aren’t seeing any extraordinary returns. An annuity helps break past the ups and downs. It’s what allows our client and his wife — or any of us — to enjoy a lovely steak and lobster dinner on Valentine’s Day. This year, I can report that my client and his wife will be enjoying their traditional Valentine’s Day dinner outside the United States. They decided to change things up slightly. Instead, they’ll be dining in Paris! What can I say besides “bon appétit!” –Gary Mattson
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‘Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a R
HOW PATAGONIA’S FOUNDER SET A
From the very beginning of his 2006 memoir, “Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman,” it’s clear that Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, is not the typical entrepreneur. As a kid, Chouinard wanted to be a fur trapper, and rather than going into business with dreams of getting rich, he started making climbing gear to fund his passion for scaling cliffs and adventuring in the outdoors. “Let My People Go Surfing” follows Patagonia’s meteoric rise through its victories and rough patches — including the stalled growth that led to layoffs of 20% of the staff in the 1990s — but its main focus is on the company’s ideals. In plain, forthright, and sometimes irascible language, Chouinard lays out Patagonia’s growth goals, culture aims, and environmental stewardship efforts. The last of which is truly the core of the brand. Patagonia prioritizes minimalism, function, durability, and reparability in all of its products, from backpacks to jackets. It tracks the energy
and water use of its facilities, works to eliminate pollution, focuses on recycled and recyclable materials, participates in environmental activism, funds environmental organizations worldwide, and even encourages shoppers to send in worn-out apparel for reuse and repair. In short, over the course of 272 pages, Chouinard proves he not only talks the talk but also walks the walk — and has made millions championing his cause. He encourages other entrepreneurs to do the same, laying out Patagonia’s footsteps and philosophies for readers to follow. Many already have. “Let My People Go Surfing” was updated and rereleased in 2016, but either version will make entrepreneurs think twice about their environmental impact and what they can do to reduce it. As one Amazon reviewer wrote, “Whether you’re a manager or business owner looking to motivate your employees and create a sustainable business, or a fan of Patagonia, or someone curious about how to live a life you can feel good about, this book should work for you.”
TIME TO GET BACK OUT THERE! Expert Advice to Beat the Stigma of Senior Dating
G etting back into dating can be hard when you’ve been out of the game for a few decades. In fact, some would-be romantics are so self-conscious about their age that they never even try! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up some expert advice on dating at any age. Don’t fear online dating. Online dating is a great way to meet people outside of your social circle, and there are many dating sites and apps specifically for singles over 50 who are ready to mingle. Julie Spira, a relationship expert with senior dating app OurTime, says that “Authentic dating profiles get the best results.” Basically, don’t lie on your profile. Use a picture of you from this year and be proud of your age. That’s the best way to find people who will love the real you.
Be present when meeting new people.
Dating as a senior means coming to the table with a lot of baggage. Dating is when people get acquainted, so be careful about sharing that baggage right out of the gate. This doesn’t mean you should never talk about heavy topics, but remember this advice from the popular dating site, eHarmony: “Early on, focus on enjoying each other’s company here and now.” It doesn’t matter if you’re 26 or 62, dating is always hard. You have to step outside your comfort zone and trudge through a series of terrible first dates. But in the end, it’s all worth it when you find that special someone with whom you can spend your golden years. Just remember, you’ll never meet that person if you don’t make the leap.
Go to 26 different places.
Prefer to meet people in person? Lisa Copeland, a dating coach who works exclusively with women over 50, recommends creating a list of 26 different places in your area, one for each letter of the alphabet, then going to those places. While you’re out, Copeland says,“You want to smile. Make eye contact. Ask a question. Give a compliment and put a question behind it.”
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luctant Businessman’
March 6 March Madness ... With Medicare! First Friday Event 12–3 p.m. Featuring Medicare PresentationWith Melinda Prince at 2 p.m. April 3 ”Leaving a Legacy” First Friday Event 12–3 p.m. April 15 Shred-Day, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. May 1 Let’s TACO-bout Social Security and Long-Term Care First Friday Event, 12–3 p.m. SS and Long-Term Care Presentation at 2 p.m. Mattson Financial Upcoming Events MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
EW STANDARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
SHRIMP SCAMPI EASY
Inspired by The Blond Cook
Make date night simple with this easy shrimp scampi recipe.
Ingredients
• • • • •
1/2 tsp oregano
• • • •
4 tbsp butter 4 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine 1/4 cup lemon juice 8 oz cooked linguine
1 tbsp minced garlic 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup parsley
Directions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. 2. Add shrimp and oregano, stirring frequently until shrimp is pink. Remove shrimp from skillet. 3. Add wine and lemon juice to skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. Stir in remaining butter and olive oil and cook until butter is melted. 5. Add cooked shrimp to skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. 6. In a serving bowl, top cooked linguine with shrimp mixture. Garnish with parsley and serve.
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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
A Dinner to Remember
1 2
Yvon Chouinard’s Rise FromWannabe Fur Trapper to Billionaire
Too Old for Love? No Such Thing!
Easy Shrimp Scampi
3
Mark Your Calendar!
Your Epic Adventure Awaits
4
**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.
Create Your Own Odyssey
MYTHICAL ADVENTURES AWAIT INTHE MEDITERRANEAN
One of the oldest stories in Western literature is Homer’s “The Odyssey.” This epic poem tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus’ travels were fraught with mythical monsters and magic, many of the places he visited are said to be inspired by real islands in the Mediterranean. Even today, travelers flock to these islands looking for peace, adventure, and epic stories of their own. Sicily, Italy One of the most popular stories in “The Odyssey” is the tale of Odysseus rescuing his crew from Polyphemus, a man-eating Cyclops. It’s said that Polyphemus made his home on what is now modern-day Sicily. Fortunately, there are no Cyclopes in Sicily today; there are only cultural festivals, world-class golf courses, and delicious food. Gozo, Malta While Odysseus’ journey was perilous, he did enjoy one peaceful stop. Odysseus spent seven years on the mythical island of Ogygia, home of the nymph Calypso. Historians suspect that Ogygia was Gaudos, now modern-day Gozo, Malta. Gozo is home to the Ġgantija temples, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids. In addition to exploring
its archaeological marvels, Gozo’s visitors can also enjoy snorkeling, horseback riding, and other memorable adventures.
Ithaca, Greece If you want to chart your own odyssey, make your final stop Odysseus’ home, the island of Ithaca. Covered in lush greenery and quaint villages, Ithaca is a wonderful place to relax at the end of your trip. Visitors can enjoy their morning coffee by a seaside cafe before lounging on a secluded beach for the rest of the day. It’s no wonder why Odysseus fought so hard to get back to Ithaca! With dozens of other islands to explore, the Mediterranean is the perfect place to plan your own odyssey — minus the mythical monsters, of course.
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