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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
October 2024
When my mom was in her 90s, she inevitably said that she was taking her last cruise, and did my family want to join her? This conversation went on for just over seven consecutive years. We took the bait every year, decided to go, and had a great time. This was frustrating for my wife because she never liked to travel during the holidays, and these trips took time away from our family. However, we went willingly, and we have many memories and stories as a result. ‘THIS IS MY LAST TRIP’ (BUT I’M REALLY TAKING 7 MORE) Healing Journeys
Lately, our clients have been traveling much more, too, and often, we see that traveling is much more about healing than about the travel itself.
We had a client a few years back who was trying to get their family back together. The client had extra money and they decided to gather their siblings, pay for the trip, and have it at a neutral site so all parties could attend. There were daughters and ex-wives involved — family members who hadn’t spoken in years. After all was said and done, the family was back together once again, and people couldn’t even remember why their relationships had been severed. But they were all aware they were getting older, and they all appreciated the fact that family relationships had healed. We had another client take out extra funds and invite their sister, the sister’s husband, and their well-seasoned mother to travel with them. The sister and mom had not spoken in several years. When the sister received the invitation, she replied, “Let me think about it.” When the time came to decide, she said, “I’m going to give it a try.” They never spoke about what caused the rift, but by the end of the trip, the mom declared that it had been one of the best trips she had ever had, perhaps because she had both of her daughters back in her heart. You may choose different ways to travel and places to go, but the best way to travel is when you do it with those you care about. Don’t sell yourself or your family short. Sometimes, picking a neutral site can put broken family pieces back together.
due to a loan the son had received from my uncle but never repaid. And the story doesn’t stop there. My uncle gave equally to his other two remaining children and said in his will that if either of them gave money to the son he had disinherited, they would forfeit their own inheritance. As you can tell, there was pain in that family, and after my uncle passed, it did not heal. Now, the situation was brother pitted against brother and brother against sister. My aunt rallied and told her children, “You can give funds to your brother if you want. Your father is gone.” The one brother’s response was, “No, I got the money from Dad. Dad did this for a reason, and I’m not going against Dad’s wishes.” After that, it was mother pitted against son as well. Financial well-being should never divide a family. But it can, and it has many times. We’ve seen this through clients’ insistence on a pound of flesh for some act that was committed. I encourage you; whether you’re a son, daughter, or parent, get your family together and take that trip, a time to reunite whenever — wherever possible. The healing that may take place will be much more valuable than any asset you could pass on. And if you are among those blessed by not having such distractions in your family, hug your family and thank them for being them.
If you need ideas for travel, call us, and we will help!
–Gary Mattson
We often urge clients to not allow money to come between family members. My uncle excluded his son from receiving an inheritance
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SMART SACRIFICES
People who struggle financially cite some common reasons: low pay, credit card debt, high housing costs, inflation, too much retail therapy, etc. Few realize that by setting goals and making the sacrifices required to achieve them, they could join the ranks of those who live comfortably with ample savings. Here are five proven steps for making your money work for you. PAY OFF HIGH-INTEREST DEBT. You must stop the bleeding from costly credit card debt. One of the best strategies is the avalanche method, which entails paying off your highest-interest debt first to save the most money on interest. Another method, the snowball approach, requires paying off the smallest debt first, then redirecting that money to pay off the next largest debt. This method saves less money in interest but offers more immediate gratification.
SAVE UP AN EMERGENCY FUND. If you can, set aside $2,000 as a safety net immediately. After paying off any high- interest debt, build that fund to cover 3–6 months of expenses. Stash it in a high-yield savings account so it will keep working for you while you pursue other goals.
INVEST YOUR SAVINGS. Start investing any new savings for higher returns. Avoid speculative plays such as cryptocurrency or individual stocks. Instead, do some research on index funds, exchange-traded funds, bonds, or certificates of deposit with solid track records.
INCREASE YOUR EARNINGS. If you don’t have money, you must work to get it. It may not be fair that some people work three
SUPERCHARGE YOUR MEMORY Neuroscience-Backed Tips for a Sharper Mind
In today’s fast-paced world, having a sharp and reliable memory has become more critical than ever. Fortunately, recent advancements in neuroscience have revealed new techniques to help us improve our cognitive abilities and retain information more effectively. Here are four scientifically backed tips to transform your memory and unlock your full potential. EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN AND BODY. Numerous studies have shown that regular physical exercise can profoundly impact cognitive function. When you engage in aerobic activities such as running, cycling, or swimming, you improve
practice meditation regularly, even just a few minutes a day, exhibit increased brain volume in the hippocampus, resulting in enhanced memory performance.
NOURISH YOUR BRAIN WITH THE RIGHT FUEL. The saying ”you are what you eat” is true for brain health. A diet rich in low-sugar, low-refined carbs and healthy protein and fat sources can support optimal cognitive function. These foods provide the building blocks your brain needs to keep your memory sharp and thinking clear.
PRACTICE IMPROVES MEMORY. Practicing regularly is one of the most effective ways to improve your memory. Whether memorizing song lyrics, reciting poetry, or even
your cardiovascular health and stimulate the growth of the hippocampus — the
just trying to recall your daily tasks, the more you challenge your brain to store and retrieve information, the better it will become.
area of the brain responsible for learning and memory formation.
MEDITATE FOR A SHARPER MIND.
So, what are you waiting for? Start exercising, meditating, fueling your brain, and practicing today — your future self will thank you.
Did you know mindfulness and meditation can improve your memory? Researchers have discovered that individuals who
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MASTERING MILESTONES ON THE ROAD TO RICHES
November Market Commentary Release Nov. 8, 2024, 12 p.m. In 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. December Market Commentary Release Dec. 6, 2024, 12 p.m. In 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.
or four jobs to meet their goals, but it’s better than staying stuck. You also may have to invest in gaining new skills to increase your income.
TAKE CHARGE.
Clinging to a victim mentality is self-defeating. Thinking positively isn’t enough to
make you rich, but it will open up new opportunities you couldn’t
otherwise have imagined and help you stick to your goals.
Once you have mastered these secrets of the rich, start working toward your own milestones. The lifelong rewards will be more than worth the effort!
Corey’s
Pumpkin Pie French Toast
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Ingredients
TAKE A BREAK!
•
1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed 1/2 cup half-and-half 1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée
• • • •
1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 8 slices day-old bread Maple syrup, to taste
• •
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3 large eggs
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1. Lightly oil a skillet and heat over medium heat. 2. Whisk half-and-half, pumpkin purée, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts until evenly distributed. 3. Place 1 slice of bread in the bowl and let it soak briefly to coat both sides. Lift bread to let excess liquid drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until done. 5. Stir batter to redistribute walnuts and repeat with other slices of bread, cooking in several batches if necessary. 6. Serve warm with maple syrup. Directions
Solution on Pg. 4
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
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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
Mend the Ties That Bind Through Family Travel
2
Not-So-Secret Strategies Rich People Use to Get Richer Neuroscience-Inspired Strategies for a Sharper Mind
3
Pumpkin Pie French Toast Upcoming Events
4
Vienna: A Timeless Tapestry of Music and the Macabre
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.
From Sublime Music to Museums of Death DISCOVER VIENNA
If you yearn to visit a European city rich in imperial grandeur, music history, and macabre memorials to death, Vienna is for you. And that odd mix of attractions reflects only a small part of the city’s diversity. This former frontier city of the Roman Empire expanded to become the glittering capital of a great empire for centuries. The Habsburg dynasty’s sponsorship of the arts made Vienna a global center of classical music. Home to Beethoven, Vivaldi, Mozart, Mahler, and Strauss,
according to Atlas Obscura. The Habsburgs created elaborate containers to preserve their embalmed entrails after death. The city’s Crime Museum houses relics of famous murders, including the mummified head of a known killer. Fortunately, the Habsburgs were readers, too. The Austrian National Library, a baroque masterpiece, is home to 2.5 million books. In a Gothic twist, library employees may slip silently in and out of hidden passageways behind the stacks if you watch closely. The city is also noted for its intellectual history. Sigmund Freud lived and worked in Vienna, which led to its nickname, “City of Dreams.” The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein also worked in Vienna, where he made many contributions to logic in mathematics and language.
On the lighter side, Vienna’s Spanish Riding School offers a unique opportunity to see its famous Lippizaner horses perform dressage. The Imperial Butterfly House is a tropical oasis housing about 400 beautiful insects. Visitors to the “lost garden,” a vast topiary maze at the Habsburgs’ summer palace, can enjoy tales of courtiers frolicking among the web of manicured hedges — not only for playful exploration but also for illicit romance.
Vienna hosts frequent performances of classics by these and other composers.
The city’s museums, churches, and charnel houses offer macabre tributes to death. Piled on the floor and lining the walls of a charnel house beneath St. Stephen’s Cathedral are the skulls and other bones of 11,000 people,
Taken together, these diverse attractions promise travelers to Vienna a visit to remember!
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