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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
August 2018
FOCUSING ON THE SMALL THINGS
If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves.
The Federal Reserve wanted 2 percent inflation. That was their target number, and they reached it in May. They consider this level of inflation to be stable.
What does that mean to you as an investor?
Inflation is at its highest since 2012. Right now, it doesn’t necessarily mean much, but when you look to the years and decades ahead, it means a lot. Think about it in terms of your everyday spending. Today, if you go to the grocery store and buy a loaf of bread for a dollar, in 16 years, that same loaf of bread will cost you $2. At a glance, that doesn’t seem like much of a difference, or a big deal at all (though you may be wondering where to find a loaf of bread for a dollar). But when you look at the bigger picture, things start to come into perspective, especially so when you consider your retirement. You have to apply inflation to everything you buy, from that loaf of bread to the carton of milk and everything in between. You also have to think about future vacations and larger expenses. Inflation can add up fast. Over that period of time, if your portfolio doesn’t grow and give you an income that keeps pace, you will not have the additional income to buy the things you need every day. A trip to the grocery store will become a financial pain point.
This is why it’s so important to pay attention to the small things. This includes the fees you pay to your financial advisor or portfolio manager. This also includes making minor changes to your portfolio that keep you ahead of inflation. At Mattson Financial, we’ve always strived to help our clients save on fees associated with our services. This is one small thing we don’t want you to worry about. The same applies to keeping your portfolio ahead of inflation. Remember, retirement is about income flow — it’s the money you get to enjoy throughout retirement. It contributes to the lifestyle you want to lead in addition to all of the other expenses you have (including groceries). That’s why it’s critical to visit with your financial advisor on a regular basis. As the world continues to change, the economy and inflation change. Your investments need to be
adjusted accordingly as well. Adjusting your investments on a semi-annual basis or every few years can very well put you in a position you don’t want to be in later on. As the dog days of summer have you looking for a place to cool down, we’ll be hard at work making sure your accounts are working for you so you don’t have to worry, no matter what the rate of inflation may be. We adjust portfolios to take inflation into account, and we also look for the best ways to maximize returns and lower our fees. If you have any questions about your portfolio or about inflation, give us a call! We’re happy to help you strategize the small things so the big things will take care of themselves in the years to come. –Gary Mattson
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HOW TO BOOST YOUR RETI
WHEN YOUR FUNDS ARE LOWER THAN THEY SHOULD BE
Having money saved is crucial for adults aged 50 or older who plan to retire in the near future. Some people are prepared for retirement, having saved a sufficient amount throughout their lives. However, there are people who, despite having tried to save, come up short in their retirement funds. This can send them into a panic. Women account for the largest percentage of people who don’t have enough money in their retirement savings by the time they reach the age of 50. A survey produced by the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that many women who reach retirement age will not have adequate funds to support themselves. Despite having a higher savings rate, the average amount women have saved at the age of 50 is about $35,000, compared to $120,000 for men. What’s the reason behind this? According to the survey, women often have a large gap in their financial savings at some point in their lives. They are more likely
to work part time or stop going to work to take care of family members in need. By working less, women tend to earn less money, which prevents them from putting away sufficient funds for their retirement. This also affects whether or not they are covered by their employer’s retirement benefits, since most employees are required to be full-time in order to receive any benefits. If you’re nearing retirement age, don’t fret — you still have options available to you. If you’re working, look into your company’s retirement plan, especially if they offer a 401(k). According to the IRS, those who qualify (i.e., someone who joins the plan and is 50 years or older) can contribute up to $24,500 a year. To learn more about what options are available, it’s crucial you speak to a planning specialist. By working with someone who understands retirement, you’ll create a solid plan and ensure that you successfully enter and enjoy your retirement.
THE PROFOUND SIMPLICITY OF ‘Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got’
the basics of business. By returning to and interrogating the building blocks of growth, he is able to deliver the sort of timeless wisdom most business authors only dreamof being able to capture. What makes“Getting EverythingYou Can”stand out is the simplicity of the ideas it presents. In fact, Abraham’s central thesis is that our tendency to overlook or dismiss the mundane, everyday aspects of our business is what keeps us from seeing its real value. As Abrahamputs it,“You are surrounded by simple, obvious solutions that can dramatically increase your income, power, influence, and success.”Finding those solutions is what“Getting EverythingYou Can”is all about. What makes Abraham so successful as a business coach for small companies and international brands alike is his practical, methodical approach, which shines through in this book. You won’t find banal platitudes or sweeping summations within these pages. Instead, Abrahamuses direct, approachable language to outline clear, actionable steps to
get you to“recognize the income- and success- increasing connections that are all around you.”
With this workmanlike approach,“Getting EverythingYou Can”breaks down success in business into its component processes: attracting new clients, increasing the average size per sale of a client, and boosting client retention. These three aspects of success, according to Abraham, hinge on your ability to leverage a“unique selling proposition,”or USP. Put bluntly, a USP stems from the aspects of your business that make it stand out from the competition—what you bring to the table that others can’t. owners are often blind to the real value of their company. Seeing what truly makes your brand unique requires looking at old problems in newways and fundamentally shifting your perspective on the basics of running a business. Finding solutions hidden in plain sight is no easy task, but“Getting EverythingYou Can Out of All You’ve Got”is committed to getting you there. Identifying a USP sounds like a simple-enough concept, but as Abraham explains, business
Jay Abraham’s“Getting EverythingYou Can Out of All You’ve Got”is one of those evergreen business books every entrepreneur should pick up at some point. Rather than latch on to fleeting business trends or the gimmicks of the early dot-com era, Abraham, a business coach who has spent his entire career solving problems and fixing companies, re-examines
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A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? HOWTO ACHIEVE AMORE RESTFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP
EMENT FUNDS
MARY’S GRILLED LEG OF LAMB
LISTEN TOYOUR BODY. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be. WAKE UP NATURALLY. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure, which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. KICK THE SCREEN HABIT. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function. Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time.
Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine
Ingredients
• 1 4–5-pound boneless leg of lamb, not butterflied
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped
Directions
1. On a large cutting board, cut between themuscles on the leg of lamb to divide into 4 pieces, pulling apart with your fingers if need be. 2. In amixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, and rosemary. Add lamb and toss to coat. Marinate for 4 hours at room temperature. 3. Heat grill tomedium-high. Season lamb with salt and pepper and grill until lamb reaches an internal temperature of 130 F (medium rare). Cook time will vary depending on size of lamb pieces.
4. Let lamb rest, covered with tin foil, for 15minutes. Slice thinly and serve.
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Focusing on the Small Things
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Women and Retirement Jay Abraham’s Simple Guide to Success
Grilled Leg of Lamb Sleep Better and Feel Great
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Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season
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**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.
Book a Caribbean Cruise SAFE SAILING THIS HURRICANE SEASON
After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation—or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise.
Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather.
FLEXIBILITY IS AMUST
The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!
Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel
roomwhere you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year.
SAFETY AND SAVINGS
Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the
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