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F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C
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www.MattsonFinancial.com
February 2018
A Diversified Portfolio, a Solid Relationship
During the month of February, there’s one big day on a lot of people’s minds. That is, of course, Valentine’s Day. In the days leading up to the 14th, people devote time to thinking about what they can do for those who matter most — particularly their significant others. I, too, have been thinking about what I can do for my wife. My goal, like the goal of so many others, is to make the day truly special. Around this time, I always think about how two of our clients — a couple — celebrate the day. They have a tradition of enjoying an evening out with a surf-and-turf dinner. It’s a dinner of lobster and steak that they happily spend a little extra on. But for them, it isn’t about the money. It doesn’t matter if the markets are up or down. It doesn’t matter how their portfolio is doing. This is a special day they make for themselves. So, how do they do it? How do they give themselves the resources they need to enjoy the evening out? This couple maintains a diversified portfolio that allows them to take
money out of their accounts as needed. Since it’s diversified, they do not experience extreme losses when the markets go negative. Their portfolio is much like their relationship. It has its ups and downs, and it doesn’t always go perfectly, but for the majority of the time, it’s successful. It works for them, and they can rely on one another just as they can rely on their portfolio. This doesn’t mean that when the markets boom their portfolio makes them all kinds of money. A diversified portfolio isn’t designed that way. It’s designed to strike a balance. It’s a balance of risk and return — but more importantly, it’s designed to help them achieve their goals. In this case, it’s a goal centered on consistency. When you take a hard look at the investments within a diversified portfolio, you’ll see certain ones doing well while others are not. Think of elements of the portfolio on a spectrum of performance. In a diverse portfolio, you’ll find
each element spread across that spectrum, from bad to good.
Keep this in mind as you and your significant other enjoy a day of love and appreciation, whether it’s Feb. 14 or a day all your own. Just like in your relationship, there are going to be negatives, but our goal is to keep them as far and few between as possible. It’s all about setting your sights on that surf-and-turf dinner, whatever your personal surf-and-turf dinner may be. And one more thing before I leave you this month: Be sure to clear your schedule on Saturday, June 2. This is the date of our annual gala. I can promise you, if you miss this year’s gala, you’ll be missing out on the event of the year. We are planning something truly extraordinary, and we’ve already secured a very special guest! Stay tuned for more details in the coming months. –Gary Mattson
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Fall in LoveWith Fitness Through Dance
When you get ready to exercise, the last thing you probably think to wear is a bow tie or evening dress. If that’s the case, then it’s time to broaden your approach to fitness and step out onto the dance floor. The wide world of dance might hold the secret to exercise that you — and your partner —will actually enjoy! Whether you enjoy a romantic waltz, an intimate salsa, or a fun swing, dance promises a full-body workout. Your legs, glutes, back, core, and even arms are engaged when you feel the music. A study from the University of Brighton in England found that dance can burn 600 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the dance, which is as much as running for an hour! In addition to toning your muscles, dancing also improves balance and coordination. Your brain is engaged as you memorize the steps and spins, a health perk you miss when you’re on the treadmill or lifting weights.
and arrange for partners to cycle through, so everyone has the opportunity to practice. Of course, ballroom dance isn’t your only option for a fun workout. If relying on a partner isn’t your style, there are plenty of other dance genres you can groove to. Consider trying K-pop (Korean pop music), Zumba, hip-hop, ballet, tap, and even belly dancing, if you’re feeling adventurous. With dance, exercise becomes an activity you look forward to. You no longer need to treat exercise as a dreaded chore week after week. Even if you have two left feet, remember that dancing is an acquired skill. With a willingness to learn, over time, you could dance circles around Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Get your groove on today and search for dance studios in your area, look for lessons at your local community center, or find instructional videos online and bust a move right in your living room. When it comes to dance, if you’re having fun and moving, you’re doing it right.
Don’t have a partner willing to join you on the dance floor? No problem! Many dance classes anticipate having solo students
INVEST IN YOUR GRANDCHILD’S EDUCATION
Are 529 Plans Right for You?
There are many strategies out there for folks who want to invest in their grandchildren’s education. Different options may be more attractive than others depending on your income bracket and the needs of your family. Traditional strategies, like life insurance policies or paying for your grandchild’s schooling directly, only work if you have the capital. Furthermore, those methods can often negatively impact howmuch financial aid your grandchild qualifies for. Before you commit yourself to one of these paths, it’s worth exploring a third option: 529 saving plans. 529 plans are income tax-free savings plans specially designed to help you invest in a child’s higher education. In general, these are treated favorably by financial aid assessors, meaning you won’t hurt your grandchild’s chances of receiving government grants. There are two broad types of 529 plans: college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. SAVINGS PLANS College savings plans use one or more investment portfolios to grow your grandchild’s tuition fund. Each portfolio contains a diversified mix of investments curated by the plan’s money manager. Most
plans allow you to select from a menu of portfolio options that best fit your goals and risk tolerance. Many college savings plans start aggressive and then become more conservative as your beneficiary approaches college age. The downside with these sorts of plans is that there will always be risk involved; there’s no guarantee on investment returns. PREPAIDTUITION PLANS States and some private institutions have 529 plans available that let you pay for your grandchild’s tuition up front, well before they are ready to head off to college. Some plans guarantee to cover a set amount of future tuition expenses in exchange for a lump sum or payment plan. Other plans allow you to
buy“units”or“credits,”which translate to a fixed percentage of an institution’s tuition. Essentially, you pay the cost of tuition today rather than what it will cost by the time your grandchild goes to college. Prepaid plans are far less risky than savings plans, but they aren’t as flexible. They often limit options to state schools or select institutions, though most plans offer some form of reimbursement option if your beneficiary decides to attend another school. College just isn’t as affordable as it used to be. Knowing your options and finding a savings strategy early in your grandchild’s life can help ensure the avenues of higher education stay open for them.
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THE 5 TAX-FRIENDLY STATES FOR RETIREES
Have you ever wondered which states are the most tax-friendly for retirees?Wonder nomore! At the end of last year, Kiplinger’s released their annual state-by-state analysis of the states with the best tax environments for seniors in 2017. Here are the five highest-ranked states.
ALASKA • No sales tax. • No state income tax.
SOUTH DAKOTA • Low state sales tax. • No state income tax. • Seniors get property tax breaks. WYOMING • Low property prices. • Seniors get property tax breaks. • No state income tax. • No inheritance or estate tax.
• Access to oil revenue dividends. • Seniors get property tax breaks. • No inheritance or estate tax. FLORIDA • No state income tax. • No inheritance or estate tax. NEWHAMPSHIRE • No sales tax. • No state income tax. • Higher property taxes, but seniors get property tax breaks. • No inheritance or estate tax.
As you can see, these five states share a lot in common — at least when it comes to their tax benefits. The downside is that four of these five states tend to have harsh, long-lasting winters. If you love the great outdoors and don’t mind the yearly chill, Alaska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, andWyoming are wonderful places to live. For those of us who are cold-averse, Florida isn’t the only tax-friendly state with a warmer climate. Mississippi, Georgia, and Kentucky also have many tax benefits for seniors to take advantage of, but they don’t quite beat any of the five states listed above in strictly tax terms. Will this list change for the 2018 tax year? It’s certainly possible — but you’ll have to wait for the next tax report to come out later this year to find out.
Hoping to shave off those extra holiday pounds or keep up with your New Year’s resolution? Look no further than this easy winter detox salad! MARY’S SWEET AND ZESTY DETOX SALAD
Ingredients
For the Salad • 3 cups chopped kale leaves • 2 cups chopped broccoli florets • 2 cups chopped red cabbage • 1 cup matchstick carrots • 1 cup chopped cilantro • 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds • 1/3 cup sliced green onions • 1 diced avocado
For the Dressing • 1 large carrot, roughly chopped • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger • 1 tablespoon honey
Puzzle Your Brain!
• 1 tablespoon white miso • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. To make the salad, add all ingredients to a large bowl; toss to combine. 2. To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper or add extra honey for a sweeter taste. 3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve immediately.
Recipe inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com.
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A Diversified Portfolio, a Solid Relationship
Exercise for 2? Protect Your Grandchild’s Future The 5 Tax-Friendliest States of 2017 Whip Up This Winter Salad in a Flash!
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The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers
**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.
EARTH’S MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER DISPLAYS
Spring is here, which means flora will soon be in full bloom. Flowers can be an easy pick-me-up or a great way to add color to your home, but some people take their flower obsession to the next level by planning botanical-themed vacations. Here are some of the most impressive gardens and flower displays in the world. NETHERLANDS Holland, most famous for its tulips, always draws visitors at the first sign of spring. One of its most famous destinations, Keukenhof, located in Lisse, is among the world’s largest flower gardens. The park is 79 acres and boasts approximately 7 million flowers each year. This colorful garden is open annually from mid-March to mid-May, but mid-April is the ideal time to see the tulips. WASHINGTON, D.C. Besides the monuments and historic buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers
who visit the Tidal Basin during the spring can witness 3,000 trees, which were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, flaunt their beautiful pink blossoms. The best time to see the spectacle is from the end of March through the end of April. ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK Desert lavender, flowering cacti, pygmy poppies, and rock daisies are just a few of the many wildflowers decorating Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The various native species are often seen weaved together to form a colorful carpet over any barren patch in the park, which is located just two hours from San Diego. In addition to flowers, visitors often spot bighorn sheep. Wildflower blossoms vary in intensity each year, but they typically begin to bloom in late February or early March.
Next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.
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