Take a look at our April newsletter!
FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
April 2024
Why Human Advisors Outshine Robots Personalized Prosperity
The highest expense for any business is people. Those of you who come into the office have seen our staff more than double in size in the last few years. The reason is that we have made promises, and we’re serious about keeping them. Truthfully, we see other advisors doing the same quantity of business with one-third as many people. The problem with that model lies in the way they are handling service. If we were just to take AIR investments — that is, products promising an assumed interest rate (AIR) — we could do the same with about one-third of the people we have. However, we want to help our clients with a wider range of needs. We want to be able to adjust portfolios and set up withdrawals based on market conditions and clients’ changing needs. We want to be able to respond to family matters that may have nothing to do with money and everything to do with education or caring for loved ones. We even had a client come to us for help with their new home- building project. We made suggestions that the client incorporated into the plan. We do these things as humans for our fellow men and women — for our clients. Our clients come to us looking for the best possible strategies for maximizing their income, resolving their tax questions, and eventually passing on assets to family members and charities.
clients need a team of knowledgeable people to understand and interpret the changes in tax laws. They want fiduciary advisors to help them plan how to use that new hot tub room they’re adding to their home. Does it make sense to install a transparent garage door for protection so they can enjoy looking outdoors even when it’s cold and windy outside? Every time a client sits down with us to discuss some issue or concern, the discussion leads to our helping them answer other related issues or concerns. It all comes down to ensuring our clients’ plans address their needs and give them all the answers they want to feel confident about the future. I have started asking my clients if they can tell me their great-grandfather’s first name. By the way, I can’t tell you mine. However, if my great- grandfather had a highly competent financial advisor, he would not have lost everything due to the costs of caring for my great-grandma’s health. Also, I would know that person’s name because they would have made a plan that included me as an heir three generations later. So many of us think we need to be able to pass on millions of dollars to our heirs to be successful. Not once did any multimillionaire start with millions of dollars. They all started with a small investment that worked well. Over time, they built that investment into a successful portfolio of assets and used those assets to work toward building more assets.
in the world. For example, understanding different cultures is important to a financial advisor’s ability to help clients not just reach the goal line but complete the process of passing on assets to future generations. It’s very common in Asian cultures to provide money for parents. This has been a custom for years. Another cultural custom, in this case among Hispanic families, is for adult children to take care of mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa and live together on the same property to attend to family care and health needs. These families have already planned this out from generation to generation. And we need to help them make these plans and lay a foundation for carrying them out, using money as a tool. Individual clients need us to devote time and energy to hear their questions and find proper answers. I’m proud to say that our advisors, planners, client services, and client relations teams work together daily to ensure all of our clients’ needs are covered. So this month, I want to give a great big shout-out to our team and thank them for bringing in the cookies, making sure the signatures are correct, making sure the necessary transfers have happened, and continually taking care of our clients — easing their worries so they can enjoy the retirement they so richly deserve. –Gary Mattson
Machines, technology, or artificial intelligence (AI) cannot normally provide that service. Our
Robot advisors are set up to help investors but are not attuned to what is happening
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Self-Care Tips for a Happier an
You matter. It’s an easy thing to forget with the overwhelming obligations and responsibilities most people have, but you matter. Everyone, including you, must practice self-care to ensure their happiness and peace of mind. DISCONNECT FROM TECHNOLOGY The connectivity provided by technology comes with several benefits, but they have just as many drawbacks. Companies design phones to be addictive. Your brain releases a little dopamine whenever you get a notification, not unlike a slot machine. That’s why we constantly check our phones, even when they don’t ring or vibrate. Meanwhile, studies correlate heavy social media usage with profound feelings of loneliness and depression. Everyone needs to distance themselves from technology every so often. Try leaving your phone at home when you go outside or set a specific no-screen time. Better yet, dive into nature. Practice yoga
in the park or hike through the woods and breathe in the fresh air instead of scrolling.
DREAM MORE Our bodies demand that we spend about a third of the day sleeping, and it does so for a reason. Almost every cell needs time to refresh and renew. But many people continue to shrug off sleep, which falls to the bottom of their priorities. Take the time to increase your sleep quality. It helps almost every part of your body, from brain to toe. To do so, implement positive sleep habits. Don’t watch TV before bed, keep your bedroom dark, and put your phone on “do not disturb.” INDULGE YOURSELF It’s all too easy to devote our lives to other people, but taking time for ourselves is essential. Some me-time lets you get some
SUCCEED IN YOUR NO-SPEND CHALLENGE FINANCIAL DETOX
Thanks to clever advertising and a lack of discipline in spending habits, many people spend too much on trinkets and other things they don’t need. To help us all stop impulsive
This accountability and the communal nature of the trend encourage you to reflect on how often you’re spending your hard-
earned money. You can also rediscover the value of experiences that don’t cost anything and develop healthier financial habits. These help dismantle
spending habits, the No-Spend Challenge was developed and has gone viral on the internet. This financial detox challenge encourages us to break free from the mindless spending we may be partaking in. It’s a challenge
a consumer mindset, enabling you to use funds to fulfill goals rather than a quick adrenaline hit.
that pushes mindfulness to reassess financial habits rather than deprive us of necessities.
When you complete the challenge, you will emerge armed with newfound financial freedom, awareness, and discipline, and you’ll be more inclined to reach short-term financial goals,
The first step is creating clear budgeting goals. Whether paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a specific milestone, having a concrete and well-defined objective helps you stay motivated throughout the process. This should also include an end date to achieve your goal — a year, month, or week are all options. Your plan should also
practice healthy spending habits, and work toward long-term financial health. A No-Spend Challenge can foster a community of others who gain these new skills and inspire others to halt their own consumption. This intentional approach to spending will assure participants that they’re in control of their aspirations and the finances that can fund them.
identify and anticipate potential roadblocks during the no-spend period. This structure will make the challenge feel like more than just a temporary spending freeze.
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nd Healthier You
May In-Person First Friday Event May 3, 2024, 12–3 p.m. Lower Garden Level 3226 28th St. SE Kentwood, MI 49512 Avoiding Scams and Fraud Representatives from Lake Michigan Technology and
perspective through joy. Once a month, push the responsibilities away and spend the day doing what you love. If you want a spa day, get a massage. If you’d prefer to paint figurines in your basement, that’s all you.
We spend most of our time in our heads, preoccupied with our thoughts and focused on our
West Michigan Better Business Bureau will present beginning at 12:15 p.m. Stay for the LIVE market update featuring a portfolio manager from Gradient Investments at 2 p.m. June Market Commentary Release June 7, 2024, 12 p.m. 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. July Market Commentary Release July 5, 2024, 12 p.m. 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.
obligations. It’s not good for our mental health. The sheer weight of life is heavy on our shoulders and minds. Ease those worries and anxieties by putting the phone away, getting a good night’s sleep, and spending quality time with ourselves.
Ally’s Recipe
SCALLOPS AND SPRING VEGETABLES WITH OLIVE-CAPER PAN SAUCE
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
Directions
•
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided 8 oz sea scallops, tough side muscle removed
1. In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp oil. Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper. Add scallops to pan and cook, flipping once, until browned and just cooked through, 1 1/2–2 minutes per side. Set aside. 2. In the pan, add remaining 1 tbsp oil, asparagus, and carrots and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 2–3 minutes. 3. Add shallot, olives, capers, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 4. Add wine and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add butter; stir until melted. 5. Plate veggies with scallops, then drizzle with pan sauce. Serve with parsley if desired.
•
• •
Pinch of ground pepper 8 oz asparagus (1/2 bunch), trimmed
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6 oz baby carrots, halved lengthwise 1 medium shallot, minced
•
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5 pitted green olives, coarsely chopped 1 tbsp capers, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup dry white wine
• • • • •
1 tbsp butter
Chopped fresh parsley to garnish
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
106.9 FM and 1300 AM Saturdays from 10–11 a.m. Sundays from 11 a.m.—12 p.m.
3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Irreplaceable Value of Personalized Financial Advice
2
Self-Care Practices to Help You Thrive Navigating the No-Spend Challenge
3
Scallops and Spring Vegetables With Olive-Caper Pan Sauce Upcoming Events
4
April Escapes
**Reminder: If you have any changes to your financial situation, please notify us as soon as possible.
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.
3 VACATIONS SPOTS TO AVOID SEASONAL GLOOM ESCAPE APRIL SHOWERS THIS SPRING
April showers bring May flowers, but you don’t have to stick around to wait for them to bloom. Escape to these three destinations and enjoy the new life of spring without the rain. AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND, NETHERLANDS Why wait for May to see spring flowers? All April long, Holland sports the most beautiful colors in the world, and people from all over
the globe go enjoy the Keukenhof Garden Festival. This festival has occurred for 75 years, and as it’s only 30 minutes away from Amsterdam proper, you can experience the best of both worlds. Explore the thousands of tulips during the day and then spend time in the city, exploring the beautiful canals and shopping districts in the evening. Don’t worry if you miss the beautiful flowers; most of the city’s museums and hotels have tulips, too. SEVILLE, SPAIN Embark on an enchanting journey to Seville, where vibrant culture and passion come alive. Picture yourself strolling through cobblestone streets where you can immerse yourself in the parades that travel through the city during Holy Week. Brass bands build up to a beautiful celebration on Easter, and just two weeks later, the Feria de Abril begins. This fiesta is full of lively parties, even more music, and colorful costumes. Sevillanos on horseback and the
clacking footwork of flamenco dancers are captivating to watch, so don’t miss out by getting rained in. MALTA Located to the south of mainland Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is part of an archipelago consisting of several islands, including Gozo and Comino. Because of its diverse cultures, you’ll hear Arab accents in the language as you pass Baroque architecture. Nature lovers, hikers, and landscape photographers alike can explore the rocky coastlines, impressive rock formations, and dazzling sea caves, such as the Blue Grotto (Malta), plus beautiful beaches like Ramia Bay (Gozo) and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay (Malta). However, the biggest advantage of traveling in Malta is that everything is in full bloom: green fields, blooming citrus trees, and beautiful flowers. If you go in spring, you’ll beat the tourists, too, as summer is peak season.
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