Take a look at our February newsletter!
FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
February 2025
Surf ‘n Turf
HOW WE HELP PEOPLE RETIRE SAFELY AND IN STYLE
As I began my career in financial services, I met a couple who described what was very important to them. Every Valentine’s Day, they wanted to enjoy steak and lobster. Knowing that steak and lobster isn’t exactly cheap, I said, “OK, we can set it up so you can always have funds for surf and turf.” “Well,” they told me, “sometimes on Feb. 14 we have steak and lobster in New York. Sometimes we have it in New Orleans, other times we may want to enjoy it in Paris …” “Ah, I get it!” I said. “You want to be able to travel and never, ever run out of money so that every February, you can afford your surf and turf!”
Now, let’s look at my parents. They said it was important to be able to control your own salary. So, they started their own business and built a great relationship with a banker who knew them by their handshake. They could easily get credit lines to advance their business. They were self-reliant, and the business would support them throughout retirement. Now we come to our generation, when the name of the game has been putting money into our 401(k)s. Social Security isn’t supposed to pay for everything you need. It is intended to provide partial support. And so now, the responsibility for retirement planning falls on the investor, rather than the company or the government. Based on this new reality, what does an investor need to know? Simply this: We need to go back to the fundamental investment rules of “buy low and sell high.” Most financial advisors are using another firm to manage their clients funds. What makes this troubling is that the advisor isn’t looking to buy low, sell high, they are more interested in garnering new clients, not managing their clients accounts. They’re not looking for dividends and debt ratios. Meanwhile, these mutual fund managers tend to buy into the same companies — Apple, Google, Microsoft. Why? Because those are some of the 30 largest companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and they expect them to be the “stable companies.” Before 2008, we knew certain basic forces would drive the stock market. High debt means the market will pull back. New
tariffs? The market will pull back. High unemployment? The market will pull back. But after 2008, we had a financial reset. You can throw all of these other barometers out the door. When was the last time you saw the market move because we have so much debt? When was the last time you saw the market move because the government is at risk of shutting down? Those driving forces are now common ground, and we take them in stride. What does this mean to our couple intent on enjoying their surf and turf? We have found that we still need to use fundamentals of investing. Buy low and sell high and watching market tendencies and re-allocating and rebalancing portfolios is a must if we’re to stay out of running into situations where we’re taking funds out of loss positions. So, with that in mind, we are sticking to fundamentals that still work. We want our clients to have money they can access without taking losses in the market. We want them to have money that will grow in the market. And we want them to have money in each of three buckets — taxable, tax-deferred and tax-free. We also want to be able to adjust their investments based on what the market is doing — to buy low and sell high. And with that, you’ll be able to enjoy that surf and turf anywhere in the world you choose to go!
“Exactly,” they said.
As we get older, we are not supposed to have as much risk in our portfolios, and we’re not supposed to need as much income. It’s interesting, though, that as technology and other advances have made driving our cars and flying in airplanes safer, no one has made investing for retirement any simpler, safer, or easier. How have we had this much growth in other industries, but financial services are still sorting out what works and what doesn’t? Let’s turn the clock back and look at my grandparents. My grandfather worked for Ford Motor Co., and my grandmother put a portion of his paycheck every week into stocks. They knew they would have Social Security, a little savings, and my grandfather’s pension when he retired. So investing wasn’t as important as staying with a company and knowing that after 30 to 35 years, they would have an ongoing pension to count on.
We enjoy assisting in the management of your assets. This will never change.
–Gary Mattson
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HOW TO ‘SHUFFLE’ YOUR WAY TO RESTFUL DREAMS GOODBYE, SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
A good night’s rest is one of the keys to a healthy life, but if counting sheep isn’t working for you, a psychology-based sleep hack can help quiet your most intrusive thoughts. Cognitive shuffling is a technique that aims to disrupt your thought patterns by focusing on random words to help your mind relax. It’s like shuffling a deck of cards — rearranging all the ideas to quiet the noise so you can sleep. Get ready to finally catch some z’s with this clever strategy to take you into dreamland.
five letters long and doesn’t cause an emotional reaction. Now, think of three words that start with the first letter of the word — like rain, road, and rosy. Repeat this for each letter until you finish the word you first chose. As you think about the words, spell them out slowly and visualize them. This practice resets your mind as you focus on something other than thoughts or feelings that keep you awake.
imagine them. Create visuals in your mind so you can drift off to sleep. You can also use your heartbeat as your guide. Think of a non-emotional word like “horse,” and on each heartbeat, think of a word that starts with the first letter. The trick is to keep each word random, going with the first image that comes to mind.
SHUFFLE OFF TO SLEEP To turn this trick into a sleep triumph, get into bed, turn off the lights, and try to relax. As you lie there, think of a non-emotional word, like “rest,” or a similar word around Cognitive shuffling gently nudges your brain away from worries and wandering thoughts that cause insomnia, easing you into a calm state. When you embrace random words and images that distract you from intrusive thoughts, you give yourself permission to get the rest you need. Sweet dreams are just a shuffle away! BETTER BUDGETING MIND MOVIES Another method of cognitive shuffling involves conjuring different imagery in your mind to help you escape random thoughts or leftover anxieties from the day. As you lie in bed, think of random words like “cow” and THE BENEFITS OF THE 50/30/20 RULE
For many people, getting the most out of their hard-earned money can be a challenge. Thankfully, the 50/30/20 rule is here to help! This simple budgeting rule is straightforward, easy to remember, and
WANTS What good is life if you can’t enjoy yourself? The rule says you should apply 30% of your after-tax income toward your wants. This portion can be spent on everything from tickets to see
useful (if you stick to it). According to the rule, you should take 100% of your after-tax income and allocate it in three different ways: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings. For more on how to use the rule, read on! Needs Half of your money should be put toward necessary expenses: groceries, utility bills, health care expenses,
your favorite sports teams, a premier “Jurassic Park”-themed pinball machine, or eating out at a restaurant. However, it should only apply to things you want to spend money on immediately — not long-term investments.
SAVINGS The last 20% is the money you save for a rainy day. It can be cash you are saving for a dream vacation, money invested in a 401(k), or simply put into a savings account. Any long-term investment you make will fall into this category.
loans, mortgages, and other payments. However, you may need more than 50% of your money to cover your mandatory expenses, and the remaining money should be split between wants and
savings as evenly as possible. Your needs could also require less than half of your after- tax income. In this case, use the leftover money to pay down loans and debts so you will have more money to dedicate to savings and wants in the future.
While the 50/30/20 rule is not an exact science, it is worthwhile for budgeting your money responsibly and equitably!
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Planning for the Future: Wills, Trusts, Taxes and More!
Feb. 11, 2025, 4:30–6:30 p.m. DoubleTree Grand Rapids Airport 4747 28th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Discover essential information about Wills vs. Trusts, Medicaid Trusts, and strategies for safeguarding against nursing home expenses.
March Market Commentary March 7, 2025 Released via email Each month, we feature insights from portfolio managers at Gradient Investments who dive into market trends and economic developments. We encourage you to take a few moments and stay informed when it comes to the ever changing financial landscape! April Market Commentary April 4, 2025 Released via email Each month, we feature insights from portfolio managers at Gradient Investments who dive into market trends and economic developments. We encourage you to take a few moments and stay informed when it comes to the ever changing financial landscape!
Heidi’s
Ginger-Glazed Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
• • • • •
3 tbsp honey
• • • •
3 cloves garlic, minced 4 (6-oz) mahi mahi fillets Salt and pepper to taste
Holiday Office Closure April 18, 2025 Our office will be CLOSED in honor of Good Friday.
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp grated fresh ginger root
Directions
1. In a shallow bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, ginger, and garlic. 2. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper, then place them skin-side down in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 25 minutes. 3. Add vegetable oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove fish fillets and add to skillet, reserving marinade. Fry fish for 4–5 minutes on each side, turning only once, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove fillets to a serving platter and keep warm. 4. Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet. Simmer over medium heat until reduced to a glaze. Spoon glaze over fish and serve over brown rice.
Our advising team will be hosting seminars all month long! Scan the QR code to view those dates and locations.
Not on our email list? Contact us at info@ mattsonfinancial.com !
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
Ensuring Retirement Security in Changing Times
2
The Sleep Hack Your Brain Will Love
Why You Should Use the 50/30/20 Rule
3
Ginger-Glazed Mahi Mahi
Upcoming Events
4
Your Guide to Mardi Gras 2025
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. For distribution requests, please provide at least one week’s notice to allow time for placing trades and raising cash.
Why Everyone Needs to Experience the Magic at Least Once The Cultural Essence of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is one of spring’s most anticipated events. The vibrantly colored beads and masks represent more than just a celebration — they’re a cultural phenomenon that captures the essence and history of New Orleans. If you want to celebrate spring with unparalleled revelry, extravagance, and tradition, pack your bags for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s on Tuesday, March 4, this year, the day before Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar. Find out why everyone should experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans at least once in their lives. HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS Mardi Gras is the French term for Fat Tuesday, with celebrations dating back to the 1700s
and Renaissance Europe. The traditions of this celebrated holiday are deeply rooted in Italy and France but have evolved into a unique melting pot of Creole, African, and European influences. More than 50 countries around the world now celebrate the festival, including the largest Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. THE FESTIVITIES OF THE CARNIVAL SEASON Carnival commemorates the season before Lent, the 40-day period of abstinence leading up to Easter. In a tradition that dates back to the late 1800s, those participating in the many Carnival parades, especially in the French Quarter, throw beads out into the crowds of revelers. Many masked parade participants, known as “krewes,” create spectacular floats and elaborate
costumes to mimic the Venetian Carnival of ages past. The parades are held throughout the week before and on Fat Tuesday. THE TRADITIONS OF YEARS PAST During Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday lives up to its name. The local cuisine is among the best in the world. Whether you are looking for traditional fare like gumbo and crawfish etouffee or local favorites like lobster pizza and king cakes, restaurants serve these options and more day and night. If you want to check out the cocktail scene, ask about the Hurricane. Pat O’Brian’s bar served this local libation during World War II (when whiskey was hard to find) and is still popular today!
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