Take a look at our August newsletter!
FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
August 2024
GLOBAL ADVENTURE Crafting International Travel to Meet Your Goals
“We love seeing different cultures
and enjoying new foods, artwork, and, of course, the warm weather and sandy beaches.”
Before I launch into my topic this month, I’d like to share news of a new relationship with you. WOOD-TV recently asked us to serve as their Financial Expert. In the event of sudden market moves or other unexpected developments, the station invites us to share our reactions and advice with viewers. We did not automatically say yes. We are in the business of giving advice, so that wasn’t the hard part. The hard part was deciding whether this was a role we wanted. We believe WOOD-TV is a great conservative outlet that represents the ideals and values of most people in West Michigan. Based on our due diligence, we felt that we needed to accept. So, as you see us appear on WOOD-TV and other programs, you may notice an “Ask the Expert” logo tagging along. You will see that logo during our TV appearances and on our literature. We wanted you to be the first to know the meaning of that new designation. As we wrap up August, I have been reflecting on the four different countries Nancy and I have had the privilege of visiting so far this year. We were invited on three of those trips by various people and organizations who want to learn more about our firm and how we work to ensure our clients’ goals and needs are met throughout their retirement journey. We love seeing different cultures and enjoying new foods, artwork, and, of course, the warm weather and sandy beaches. We also like to pick up souvenirs along the way. We even bought a Turkish rug in Turkey a few years ago. After we made our selection, the merchant ran our credit card and said they would ship it to us. I wanted to be sure I got what I paid for. So, on the back of the label and in the yarn of the rug, I wrote my initials. I wanted to know that the shipment I received was the rug I actually bought — not an imitation or substitution. Complaining or returning an item under those circumstances would be difficult. When you are shipping purchases home during a trip, I recommend you find a spot on the item to make your mark. If it’s a painting, put your initials on the back of the canvas and the frame. The mark can be as simple as two dots on the back of a piece of jewelry. This will help ensure you get what you paid for, including savoring the memories of your purchase.
As Nancy and I travel, we plan ahead to experience our destination’s history, food, and architecture. If those attractions are missing from our itinerary, we hire our own tour guide. When we last visited Rome, I had already seen the Colosseum and wanted to experience
something different. So, we hired a U.S. citizen, a former Air Force fighter jet pilot who is also a professor of Roman history, to be our guide. I also served in the Air Force, so we felt a camaraderie from the start. This gentleman brought the scene in the Colosseum alive. He showed us where the slaves were kept, where the combatants were held, how they prepared for battle, and how the Romans housed and moved animals used in the spectacle. He described the social scene — the vendors, the smells, and the atmosphere. He enabled us to see this historic site from a new perspective, helping us understand the culture of the time. Just as I suggested putting your initials on a purchase, you should do the same with your travel plans. Of course, it’s nice sometimes to travel by bus in a group, being shuffled back and forth and relaxing. But if you spend that kind of money to travel that far, it is often wise to see, feel, and taste the adventure. I’ve written in the past about the three stages of retirement — Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go. If your retirement lasts 30 years, you may be traveling for years during the Go-Go and Slow-Go stages. As you travel, remember to ask in advance what you will be seeing and eating, and make sure those plans meet your expectations. If you have a question about travel or need travel services, don’t hesitate to contact your advisor at Mattson Financial Services. We will be happy to suggest a couple of our preferred providers. Happy travels and enjoy the adventure! You’ve worked hard for these dollars and we’re here to help you enjoy the retirement journey.
–Gary Mattson
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BACK TO SCHO TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFU
With summer break tragically ending (as it does, sadly, every year), it is time to get back in the groove and prepare for the new school year. If you want to help your kids get over the first-day jitters and start out strong, employ these tips to make their first day back at class so successful that others will want to study it. GETTING A HEAD START According to research by the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity, students lose as much as 25%–30% of the knowledge they accumulated the previous school year over summer break. Reading and math skills are particularly affected and see the highest regression rate. And the higher the grade level, the more students are likely to forget. The best way to combat this summer slump is to keep learning. Reading books and practicing arithmetic at least three times a week will help kids maintain what they have previously worked so hard to learn.
Bulls, Bears, and Ballots — Oh, My! DECODING ELECTION YEAR STOCK MARKET TRENDS
Making money in the stock market can often evolve into a pattern recognition game, with investors searching for any repetition in past data. Many traders and analysts have noticed a particular market trend in election years — and some wonder what that means for 2024. Let’s look at the data gleaned from previous years and uncover how (if at all) it applies now. EMERGING PATTERNS A bull market is an economically stable time when prices are increasing. In contrast, a bear market is when stocks are losing value. Typically, stock market patterns in presidential election years show a weaker first half (bear), followed by a dip around May. After June, the index usually rises (bull), and the Dow’s second-half return in election years is an average of 8.6% as opposed to 3% in other years.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Investors are always trying to hedge their bets and plan for long-term economic downturns, another pattern worth looking into. According to T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm, there’s a 22% probability of an election happening during a recession. What’s interesting, however, are the numbers in the years that follow. There’s a 57% chance the following 365 days will have a recession, with the second and third years coming in at 30% and 17%, respectively. The big question remains: Will the winner of this year’s race create an unstable market? Rob Haworth, senior investment strategy director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, says, “At the presidential level, the differences between the candidates, from an investor’s perspective, are not as significant as many would expect.” Change is constant in the markets, so don’t base your entire portfolio on this historical data. Trends like this are never guaranteed to repeat — they’re simply
So, based on history, the stock market usually performs weaker at the beginning of an election year due to economic
interesting patterns discerned in previous years. Instead, use this information to inspire your investments and empower yourself with clever strategies for cultivating long-term financial stability.
uncertainty surrounding the candidate’s policies. As the year goes on and the parties
solidify their plans throughout their campaigns, that ambiguity wanes, and the market picks back up.
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SHOPPING SPREE Students also want to come to school prepared! Shopping for school supplies is a great way to get everything they need for the year ahead, including a snazzy new outfit for the first day, notebooks, organizers, and favorite brands of pens and pencils. It’s also important to write names in notebooks to make them easier to identify if they end up in the lost and found! MENTAL MAP No one likes getting lost. Whether returning to the same school as last year or heading into a new environment, finding one’s way can be daunting. If your kids arrive at school early, they can figure out where each class is and plot a path beforehand. Getting a feel for where they need to go throughout the day can be a great way to help them feel more prepared and comfortable. Many schools also have physical maps, which can be a great resource to store in a backpack if they ever feel lost. OOL UL FIRST DAY OF CLASS
September Market Commentary Release Sept. 6, 2024, 12 p.m. The comfort of your own home! A recap on market performance and a current outlook will be presented by a Gradient Investments portfolio manager, with introductions by your Mattson team, sent via email. October In-Person First Friday Event Oct. 4, 2024, 12–3 p.m. Lower Garden Level 3226 28th St. SE Kentwood, MI 49512 Don’t let Medicare confuse you! Join us in the office as we feature our licensed agent, Matthew Saidla, as he presents on the very important topic of Health Solutions. Additionally, Gary will share his much-anticipated labor of love, his debut publication, “What Your Parents Never Told You About Money.” Invite friends and family to hear Gary read excerpts from his book and stay for the Q & A. Wrapping up the event will be the LIVE market update featuring a portfolio manager from Gradient Investments at 2 p.m.!
Laurel’s
Tasty Cucumber Sushi Rolls
Ingredients
• • • • • • •
1 cup uncooked sushi rice
1 1/2 cups water 2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 sheets of nori
1/2 a cucumber, sliced lengthwise into thin strips
Directions
1. To make sushi rice, combine rice with water in a small saucepot. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until water is absorbed. Let cool. 2. Lay a piece of nori on a flat surface. Spread half of the sushi rice evenly over the nori, leaving a 1/2-inch border on one end. 3. Place half the cucumber strips along the other end of the nori. 4. Using your fingers, moisten the 1/2-inch border of the nori with water. 5. Gently roll up the nori, starting from the end with the cucumbers. Then press to seal. Repeat with a second sheet of nori and remaining cucumber. 6. Slice with a serrated knife into 1-inch sections and serve.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
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3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
How to Plan a Satisfying Trip Abroad
2
Start Strong This Upcoming School Year
Do Elections Affect the Stock Market?
3
Tasty Cucumber Sushi Rolls
Upcoming Events
4
The Ultimate Beach Retreats to Visit This Year
Investment advisory services offered through Mattson Financial Services, LLC, an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance and annuities offered through Lakeview Financial Group, LLC. Mattson Financial Services, LLC and Lakeview Financial Group, LLC are affiliated companies. **Reminder: If you have any changes to your financial situation, please notify us as soon as possible.
Jet-Set to Paradise
DISCOVER 2024’S TOP TROPICAL GETAWAYS
Palm-fringed beaches, crystal-clear waters, and intimate jungle views — if you’re ready to fly off to a tropical paradise in 2024, this year’s trend is small beach resorts and private retreats. If you want to book a tropical trip, you should check out these destinations that travel experts can’t stop talking about. Grab your sunscreen and a sense of adventure because these three destinations are sailing atop the charts!
COSTA RICA There’s a reason Travel + Leisure named Costa Rica the best destination in 2024. Known worldwide for its lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and unique biodiversity, this peaceful nation is a haven for nature lovers. You can explore the jungle and view native animals by visiting one of the country’s volcanoes, nature preserves, or the Térraba-Sierpe Wetland, Costa Rica’s largest mangrove swamps. If you want the most luxurious experience possible, the Nayara Tented Camp is one of the newest hot spots for a glamping trip. The resort is made up of private tents at a spot with incredible views and offers five-star amenities. PANAMA If you want a mix of old-world charm and modern splendor, Panama has established itself as one of the “it” destinations for travelers. This country offers a little bit of everything, from rainforests and beaches to vibrant cities.
Whether you want to stroll down the historic neighborhood of Casco Viejo and marvel at the architecture or visit one of its museums, Panama gives guests a mix of activities and chances to spoil themselves. SAINT KITTS The island of Saint Kitts is a nature-lover’s paradise in the West Indies. With rainforests, mountains, and serene shores, you can explore by land or relax on the beach. Catch a glimpse of elusive green vervet monkeys at Mount Liamuiga or step back in time by visiting the Brimstone Hill National Fortress. Snorkeling and golf are popular pastimes in this growing hot spot of the Caribbean. As you plan for your next great tropical escape, set sail for one of 2024’s hottest destinations. Whether you want to traverse nature or lounge on immaculate beaches all day, your seaside oasis awaits you!
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