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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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MARCH 2021
MY NUMBER IS BLACK 17
WHAT’S YOURS?
When I go to the casino, it’s by invitation only, usually for a birthday or some other celebration. Otherwise, it’s not somewhere I usually go.
$10,000 and $50,000). If they successfully timed it right, they walked away with $3 million in profit or more.
Do I gamble when I do go? Absolutely! But I have a set amount of money with me. I know how much I’m risking, and I take steps to assess patterns and use my money in positive ways to mitigate losses. That said, I expect losses, but I’m fully aware of my limits. It comes down to one simple principle: In the long term, the house always wins. I bring this up because by now you’ve probably heard all the talk surrounding GameStop and silver. You may be wondering what’s going on. In January, a group of like-minded people found a way to band together and take advantage of certain aspects of the market. Normally, investors buy and invest in portfolios based on fundamentals. They look at companies doing well over a longer period of time. Some investors want to invest in the probability that these companies will do even better in the long term and invest accordingly. However, there are select investors who invest in companies that are expected to do worse in the short term, which is where the term “shorting” comes from. The vast majority of the market operates with a “buy-hold, buy-sell” approach using scenarios based on a company’s valuation and expected longevity. This is the opposite of what happened with GameStop in January. These particular investors took a very different approach. Their approach was high risk. Some talented, knowledgeable investors who concentrate their efforts and research on a small segment of the market can produce results. As you may have heard, a small number of investors put a limited amount of money into GameStop stock (between
They took the risk and got the reward. They will pay their taxes on this and move on to their next potential investment opportunity. But how long will it be until they actually find that opportunity? There’s also the question of how many times they’ve experienced losses before finding an opportunity that net them gains. Some of these investors may have already lost thousands of dollars on bad bets. And then, there was the one time the bet came out in their favor. That’s really what this is: a bet. It’s like going into the casino, doubling down, and hitting 21 on your first try. You didn’t plan for this. It was an accident or very good luck.
Everything came together for these investors just right, the house had to pay up, and a few people made serious money. Most people didn’t not.
Is this approach to investing worthwhile for the average investor? Think of it this way: This is an area you can play in, but it’s not an area you want to live in. Our clients don’t want to risk their futures on a bet that’s going to go negative in a short period of time, and then bet against it in the hopes of multiplying their money. The risk is extremely high. Just as when you go to the casino, make sure you’re betting what you can lose because you likely will lose. But if you do win, pick up your chips and walk away to play another day with the house money.
–Gary Mattson
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WHAT CAN A NETFLIX CEO TEACH YOU ABOUT BUSINESS?
If you’re looking for more salacious details, he spends much of the first chapter debunking the stories about who had the idea for Netflix and whether or not it was an epiphany. “That story is beautiful,” Randolph writes. “It’s useful. It is, as we say in marketing, emotionally true. But as you’ll see in this book, that’s not the whole story.” The whole story is one we’ll let you read for yourself, and there is plenty more where that came from. Anybody can research Netflix online, but “That Will Never Work” is a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the 21st century’s most lucrative and secretive companies. Juicy stories pair well with marketing lessons, and the writing style is easy to get lost in — it really is a page‑turner.
If you ask Marc Randolph about his favorite place, he’ll mention an office building in Dallas, where Blockbuster had its corporate headquarters on the 27th floor. Randolph, one of the founders of Netflix and its first CEO, has no illusions about what happened to the former retail giant. In his new book, “That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea,” Randolph shares how Netflix disrupted an industry and took the world by storm, an example every business leader can learn from. Randolph himself is fascinated by the nuts and bolts of business and entrepreneurship: “How does your business test new ideas? Can it happen faster? What’s the cost of having sloppy content hit the internet if it gets you out there sooner?” He examines how quickly you can put an idea in front of a customer where “you will learn more than you could in five months of R&D.” Randolph addresses these issues and more in “That Will Never Work,” all the while explaining their relevance to entrepreneurs.
LAUGH MORE, AGE LESS Why Laughter Is Good for You
As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often. At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart. One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also
found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions.
In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships. Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.
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TAKE A BREAK!
ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES LAUREL’S
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
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1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
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1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped
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1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn
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1/4 tsp salt
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Zest of 1 orange
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts’ edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.
Solution
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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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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
Put Me on Black 17!
Netflix’s CEO on Pursuing Your Ideas
The Easiest Anti-Aging Tactic? Laughter
3
Asparagus and Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes
Mark Your Calendar!
4
Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas!
**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. Do Something Better in the Garden
3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest
Plant for Your Health Mass production of your favorite
There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring. Grow Fun Foods We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home- cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. Go With the Flow Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of
permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs
fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint
disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient- rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver. Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.
and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course.
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