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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
APRIL 2023
SHOULD I BUY GOLD?
stockholders. Family-inherited stock is never sold — it is what my father and his father DID, so I’m never going to sell. You won’t talk them into selling when the price is at an all-time high. They fell in love with the “investment” or feel that when they sell, the apocalypse will finally arrive. Many Gold-Bug personalities hold gold so when their perceived event of the dollar being worthless, gold will be the new accepted currency. I was introduced to a perspective client who had just retired at 38 years old in 1999. He started with Microsoft at the age of 18 and for 20 years accumulated stock in the high-tech company. When we met, I explained what we would do, by diversifying one-have of his holdings into other stock companies that paid dividends as well. He stated that the
Gold has again rallied, hitting a new high of just under $2,000 per troy ounce (t oz) in March 2022.
January 1970 to January 1980, when gold topped out at $760 t oz. It was gold’s golden age. It took 27 years for gold to see that high again. The price of gold began drifting down after that, hitting a low of around $257 t oz by September 1999. Values didn’t start appreciating in any meaningful way until 2005. Gold has rallied and fallen since then, pretty much paralleling economic events.
It is understandable with regional wars, high inflation, and pandemic fears. Gold’s value seems to grow best when things are (or are perceived to be) at their worst. As an investment, it is the “worrier’s play.” Whenever the world is concerned and global economies are in distress — war, plague, political strife, social unrest, etc. — the Gold- Bugs emerge from the sidelines predicting doom and gloom. The Gold-Bugs’ drums sound soothing. After all, who doesn’t want stability during a crisis? Since the Great Depression and even prior, countries have used gold as a standard of doing business with sound financial entities and countries. When fear ( F alse E vidence A ppearing R eal) raises its ugly head, having something tangible sounds like a great idea. The Oracle of Omaha has been credited with saying, “Gold is dug from the ground, you must pay to buy it, pay to store, and pay to sell it. That’s why I don’t own physical gold.” Once in your possession, it’s hard to find the right time to sell and buy again. Historically, gold held over time does not meet or exceed either the DJIA or S&P 500 returns.
company, Microsoft, was going nowhere but up, and he was very familiar with
There is one fatal flaw in this investment thesis of gold outperforming other assets. Let’s revisit gold’s
the company and its attributes, so he was solid on holding the stock. Well, nobody told him about the U.S. government and a lawsuit that required Microsoft to change its business model so it was not deemed a monopoly. You guessed it, the stock went down and to this day has not fully recovered from its all-time high. We are strong believers on not falling in love with ANY investment. And that is the problem with gold. Gold pays no dividends. It cannot compound. It does not have economic growth. It does not innovate. It does not generate cash flow. It’s just a piece of inert metal. Investing in equities means owning a piece of a business. A business is an economic entity creating value and, in doing
5,333% return against the S&P Composite’s 3,737% return from 1970 to 2020. Sure, if you just bought the S&P Composite and let it ride for 50 years, the return would underperform against gold. But that comparison is wrong. The comparison leaves out the eighth wonder of the world: compounding. Add in compounding and make the comparison. That same investor buying the S&P Composite in 1970 and reinvesting the dividends quarterly would have seen a gain of 68,430% through September 2020, well beyond gold reach. But the Gold-Bugs are always going to hold the shiny metal. It is the same with cryptocurrency believers, who believe a cashless society is about to break out and even generational-owned
If you break out gold prices over time, you quickly see that the biggest gains in gold came from
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Reality shows like “Making It” and “Making Fun” have brought crafting to a new generation — and reignited the passion of viewers who remember when TLC mostly aired DIY shows. “Making” hobbies are a fulfilling and productive way to spend your free time, and it doesn’t necessarily take much money or skill to start. Here are some of the most accessible and affordable crafting hobbies you might consider trying. Stitching Hobbies Almost any crafting hobby that involves needles is perfect for beginners looking for a part-time pastime. There are multiple options available for all artistic types. Those with an attention to detail may prefer the delicacy of sewing or embroidery, while less-perfectionist crafters might have a great time punch needling or quilt making. Knitting and crocheting are also perennial favorites that are back with younger crafters in a big way. Best of all, many stitching hobbyists hold regular free meet-ups filled with enthusiasts who happily pass along tips and encouragement.
MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE WITH
AFFORDABLE OPTIONS TO TRY
‘Free Time’ Helps Us Save Our Most Precious Resource Papier-Mache Some would-be crafters want to get a little more three-dimensional, but trying to sculpt from clay can be intimidating, and pottery classes are often BEATING THE CLOCK
Time is money, as the adage goes. But author Jenny Blake believes time is our life force, making it much too precious to waste. In her 2022 book, “Free Time: Lose the Busy Work, Love Your Business,” she argues that many entrepreneurs aren’t making the most of this crucial resource and suggests sustainable changes to how many of us do business. Being busy has become a virtue in our culture. People who aren’t constantly busy are seen as lazy and unproductive — and no one expects an unbusy entrepreneur to be successful. But Blake turns this thinking on its head. She argues that you can build the business you want without sacrificing the rest of your life. Further, many things we spend so much time on are unnecessary. Blake’s approach to conquering the hamster wheel of entrepreneurship involves creating workable systems and a winning team. Many tasks we think no one else can handle can often be automated and outsourced to others. While many entrepreneurs think their only options are to do it all or hire a small army, Blake advocates for a “delightfully tiny team” that can get more done with improved processes.
There’s no one-size-fits-all system for every business, but “Free Time” will help any reader discover theirs. The exercises and recommendations will give you plenty of food for thought and actionable ways to find your ideal work/life balance — which, as Blake notes in the book, is different for everyone.
Business leaders are used to books and courses that promote growth at all costs. That’s fine for some, but not everyone wants to scale their business endlessly. Sometimes, small business owners want to keep their businesses small — and there’s nothing wrong with that. Blake shares that she limits her work to 30 hours a week because she values her other pursuits. The idea may sound impossible now, but there are many ways to reduce your current workload without sacrificing your continued success. “Free Time” is for people currently bogged down with “The Burdensome B’s.” If you’re bored, bottlenecked, burned out, or buried by bureaucracy, this book will help you reclaim your life. Blake reminds us that our time is much more precious than money. Isn’t it time you learned to use yours more wisely?
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Upcoming Events
expensive or scheduled at inconvenient times. Why not try papier- mache? All you need is some old newspaper, glue, paint, and a willingness to get your hands dirty. It’s a great way to determine whether you love sculpting before exploring other options. And papier-mache is an art form in its own right, so there’s every chance you might fall in love. Jewelry Making Why spend money on overpriced fashion jewelry when you can make custom pieces? This relaxing and creative hobby takes much less to get started than you think. As long as you don’t go overboard, you can buy all the beginner tools and supplies you need for under $100. There is also no shortage of classes or online tutorials to walk you through the process. Soon, friends and family may come knocking for some original pieces. Whether you charge is your call! Any crafting hobby can get expensive and complicated, but there’s no need to worry about that yet. The above hobbies will let you wet your feet without making a big commitment. Once you’ve been at it for a while, you can determine whether your hobby will stay a casual pastime or become a more serious passion project.
May 5, 2023 12 p.m. No in-person First Friday event.
A market update ft. one of our advisors and a Gradient Investments portfolio manager will be released via email at 12:00PM. June 2, 2023 12-3 p.m. 3226 28th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49512 Lower Level First Friday event ft. HCC Rare Coin Appraisal, outdoor market, and market update. Interested in being a vendor? Want to make a coin appraisal appt? Call us at 616-514-3831! June 3, 2023 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 3226 28th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49512 Lower Level HCC Coin Appraisal will be here for the second day to appraise and purchase rare coins. Please call us at 616-514-3831 to make an appointment! Appointments encouraged. Visit MattsonFinancial.com/events for opportunities to connect with the Mattson team in 2023!
Ally’s
COD AND ASPARAGUS BAKE
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
... CONTINUED FROM COVER
so, grows in value over time. Put those businesses together in an index that reflects the U.S. economy, and you have the S&P 500. The S&P Composite represents the S&P 500 and other major stock indices. Combined, these encompass every major sector of the U.S. economy, so an investment in the S&P Composite is an investment in the U.S. economy. So, we will, at times, have gold in our clients’ accounts, but we will not physically hold gold, and once the opportunity has left, we will sell it as well. I’m putting my clients’ money, as well as my money, on the U.S. economy. If I do well, I’ll be able to live through retirement but also be able to buy a nice piece of jewelry or a watch … possibly made of gold. P.S. We will have appraisers here on June 2 and 3 for the valuation and purchasing of coins and collections of coins. They are buyers and sellers of precious metals as well. Call now to reserve an appointed time! –Gary Mattson
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
Ingredients
• • • •
Oil for baking pan 4 4-oz cod fillets
• • •
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
Why Gold Isn’t an Investment
The Best Beginner Crafting Hobbies
Make the Most of Your Day With ‘Free Time’
3
Cod and Asparagus Bake
Upcoming Events
4
Top 3 Extended Stay Destinations
**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.
ALL ABOARD THE EXTENDED VACATION TREND
Top 3 Vacation Destinations for a Longer Stay
The pandemic slowed us down. Over the past few years, we collectively took fewer vacations, boarded fewer cruise ships, and avoided airports. However, many studies and reports show that now, more than ever, Americans are taking longer vacations! Why might this be, and what are some of the greatest destinations for an extended stay? According to Amex Travel’s 2022 Global Travel Trend Report, 55% of vacationers are interested in taking longer trips because they can work remotely. The trend of swapping homes is also on the rise. HomeExchange’s website reports that home exchanges of two weeks or more increased by 13% in January-May last year. According to Travel Pulse, 26% of people opt to take a trip that exceeds 10 days. If you are interested in taking a more extended vacation, whether it’s because your job went remote, you lost out on travel time in 2020-2022, or you saved on gas money while working from home, here are some great destinations that support a longer stay. Visit the national parks. There is no better way to connect with nature than to tour the national parks. Several epic national park road trips could allow you to pack in a dozen or more of these natural gems in just a couple of weeks! Many national parks also accommodate RVs for comfort and convenience.
Drive the California coast. A trip up and down the California coast never disappoints. With so many great places to stop and breathtaking views to absorb, you’ll need at least two weeks to experience them properly. You’ll want to explore the Redwood National Forest, the Lost Coast, Pebble Beach, Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, Venice Beach, and many more! Hop aboard a cruise. A cruise is one of the best ways to see many destinations in one trip. You could visit several countries in just two weeks, stopping in different ports to explore! On a cruise, you could see the Caribbean one day and wake up somewhere completely different the next day with a new adventure ahead!
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