Take a look at our December newsletter!
FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
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MattsonFinancial.com
December 2025
THE MOST LOVING GIFT The Priceless Rewards of Wise Estate Planning
As we enter the holiday season, many of us find ourselves searching for the perfect Christmas gift — something meaningful that lasts. But sometimes, the most loving gifts we can give aren’t wrapped in paper or tied with a bow. They’re gifts of wisdom, preparation, and care for those we love most. When my daughter and son-in-law got married, they didn’t have much to their name. They were just beginning their life together. Still, I encouraged them to create a trust. Some people might ask, “Why on earth would a young couple need a trust? They don’t have kids or wealth yet!” Here’s the thing: A trust is a living, breathing document that grows with you. It’s not something you create once and forget about. I always tell clients to set aside a couple hundred dollars every year — say, $200 to $300 — to make sure their trust stays updated. Lives change, families evolve, and laws shift. If it’s been 10 years since you’ve reviewed your trust, you might be looking at $2,000 to $3,000 to bring it up to date. Your trust should evolve just as your story does. Family dynamics, new laws, or even unexpected challenges can all impact how your assets are protected. Remember, a trust is only as strong as the structure it’s built upon. And with more law firms specializing in how to “pierce the veil” of a trust, it’s more important than ever to make sure yours is solid.
But today, I don’t want to focus on the legal side. I want to talk about the heart behind it.
Think of it this way: Once money is taken out
of a trust, it becomes vulnerable. But if it’s kept within the trust and outside of personal control, it remains shielded from creditors, lawsuits, and even marital disputes. That’s the kind of protection and peace of mind that truly lasts. So, as you gather around the table this Christmas — with candles glowing, laughter filling the air, and blessings shared over a warm meal — take a moment to think beyond the season. Perhaps the most loving gift you can give your family this year is not what’s under the tree, but the plan you put in place to protect what you’ve built and ensure it passes on to those you cherish. If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your plan or connected with your estate attorney, contact us. As your fiduciary financial advisors, our role is to help ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend. We can also connect you with trusted estate professionals to review or begin your plan. Together, we’ll help you create a legacy that honors your life’s work and provides lasting peace for your loved ones. From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas filled with warmth, love, and the wisdom to give gifts that truly endure. –Gary Mattson
I’ve always wanted to make sure our family’s legacy follows our bloodline, that what we’ve worked hard for stays within our family for generations to come. I once met with a couple who started their marriage as a blended family. He had a son from a previous marriage, and together they had another child. At first, they decided that when the time came, they’d leave 60% to their joint son and 40% to his son from his first marriage. That made perfect sense to them at the time. But years passed, and life changed, as it always does. His son from his previous marriage grew up in their home, went to college, got married, and gave them beautiful grandchildren. Their relationship with both children evolved, and so did their perspective. They decided to update their estate to split things equally, 50/50, and set aside something special for their grandchildren. That’s when we talked about the gift of a trust, not just for their children, but also for their grandchildren. By setting up those trusts early, they ensured their assets would pass smoothly from one generation to the next, avoiding probate and unnecessary complications. And if there were ever a legal issue or divorce in the family, those funds could remain protected until the right time for them to be used.
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The Cost of Clutter: How Minimalism Can Save You Thousands We’ve all been there: staring at a closet full of clothes and thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” Or paying rent for a bigger apartment just to store things we barely use. Clutter isn’t just a space problem; it’s a money problem. Every unused subscription silently chips away at your finances. The good news is that minimalism offers a way out. Far from being about deprivation, it’s about reclaiming control of your space, spending, and savings. cheap pairs wear out quickly and cost more in the long run. Choosing durability and timeless designs over impulse buys protects your wallet and reduces waste. SIMPLIFYING FINANCES Clutter can even creep into your bank account. Old subscriptions,
overlapping accounts, and unused memberships all nibble away at your budget. By canceling what you don’t use and streamlining your finances, you save money and reduce the mental load of tracking your bills. DOWNSIZING EXPENSES One of the biggest financial wins of minimalism comes from downsizing. A smaller home or apartment doesn’t just mean lower rent or mortgage; it also slashes utilities, maintenance, insurance, and even property taxes. MORE SPACE FOR WHAT MATTERS A clutter-free environment frees up mental bandwidth. With fewer distractions, you can focus on what truly matters: building a side hustle, nurturing relationships, or enjoying a calmer, more intentional life.
THE HIDDEN PRICE OF ‘STUFF’ Every purchase comes with two price tags: the sticker price and the hidden costs. That $50 gadget isn’t just $50; it might also mean higher credit card interest if you’re carrying debt, or another box in the attic eating up storage space. The more we accumulate, the more we pay to maintain, store, clean, and eventually replace those items. That’s where minimalism comes in. It forces us to ask: “Do I really need this, or is it just clutter in disguise?” QUALITY OVER QUANTITY Minimalism doesn’t mean buying nothing. Instead, it’s about buying better. One high-quality pair of shoes can last for years, while three
Want to Live Longer and Feel Younger? Spend More Time With Your Grandkids
As we grow older, we start to think about things that could increase our longevity. For example, we could adopt a healthier diet, incorporate
American Menopause Society found that older women who spend one day a week babysitting grandkids scored higher on cognitive tests than women in the same age range who don’t spend as much time with their grandchildren.
more movement into our daily routine, and get outside as often as possible. But what if there were a better
way to integrate healthy aging behaviors into our daily habits, and even better, we could do it while spending time with some of our favorite people? We often don’t realize how beneficial the grandparent role can be. Not only does it give our grandchildren someone who provides unconditional love and support, but it can also help keep us young. Here are three benefits of spending more time with your grandchildren.
IMPROVED PHYSICAL FITNESS Kids like to move; there’s no question about it, and if you want to stay young as long as possible, you have to try to keep up with them. You probably won’t be running laps around a track at full speed or playing a full-on tackle football game, but any movement is good as you age. Go for walks outside, play a game of catch, or just chase them around the backyard. You’ll create great memories while improving your fitness.
MENTAL CLARITY It’s no secret that our memory, concentration, and focus can slip as we age, but spending time with our grandchildren can offset some of these setbacks. Kids love to ask questions and inquire about the world around them. Answering their questions and exploring new avenues of thought can help you maintain mental clarity. A study published in the Journal of the North
ENHANCED MINDFULNESS It’s easy to lose yourself as you think about
everything going on in your life, but you can just stop and enjoy the moment when you’re with your grandkids. Push off any nagging thoughts and give your grandkids your full attention. It will help solidify your relationship.
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Holiday Office Hours
Dec. 24 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 25 Closed for Christmas Day Dec. 31 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 1 Closed for New Year’s Day
Laurel’s
Classic Italian Tiramisu
Ingredients •
1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, plus more for dusting 1 cup brewed espresso 1 tbsp vanilla extract 5 large egg yolks, cold
• •
1/4 tsp kosher salt
TAKE A BREAK!
16 oz mascarpone cheese, chilled 1 3/4 cups heavy cream, chilled 28 hard ladyfinger cookies
• • • •
•
•
1/2 cup white sugar
Directions 1. In a bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, espresso, and vanilla and set aside. 2. In a mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick, about 5 minutes. 3. Add salt and mascarpone cheese, and continue to whip. 4. Add the chilled heavy cream and continue to whip until light and smooth. 5. Dunk each ladyfinger in the espresso mixture to absorb the liquid and line a 7x11-inch oval baking dish with the cookies. 6. Top the first layer of cookies with half the whipped mascarpone mixture and spread it into an even layer. Dust with cocoa powder. 7. Repeat for another layer and then finish by dusting with cocoa powder on top. 8. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Solution on Pg. 4
Inspired by WhatsGabyCooking.com
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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
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3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
This Holiday Season, Give Loved Ones the Gift of Careful Estate Planning
2
The Hidden Price Tag on Clutter
Are Grandchildren the Solution to Aging Concerns?
3
Classic Italian Tiramisu
Holiday Office Hours
4
3 Train Trips to Take Today
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.
Tracks and Treasures Scenic Rail Journeys Worth Riding
Flying over beautiful landscapes can be exhilarating, but what if you could experience those beautiful sights in a closer and more personal way? With railway vacations, you can. Whether you’re a seasoned train traveler or curious about cruising on the tracks, here are three travel options you can only experience and appreciate on the rails. A EUPHORIC EUROPEAN ESCAPE While there are plenty of thrilling sights to behold in America, the glamorous international excursion of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is incomparable. From its pristinely preserved 1920s/1930s-era carriages and stunning Art Deco interior to its remarkable gourmet food (including breakfast in bed!) and live entertainment, this world-renowned train will take you through Venice, Paris, Istanbul, and other legendary European destinations. A SYMPHONY OF SWISS SCENES For many travelers seeking some of the most breathtaking visuals imaginable, all rails lead to the Swiss Alps. The Glacier Express’ 292-bridge/91-tunnel track from Zermatt to St. Moritz gives passengers a personal view of picturesque valleys, mountain streams, and alpine meadows. Often referred to as “the slowest express train in the world,” it
travels 24 miles per hour, allowing you to feast your eyes on the scenery through its panoramic windows. Boasting millions of passengers in its decades-long history, the Glacier Express has earned its rightful place as one of the most celebrated names in tourism. AN ALASKAN ADVENTURE If you’re looking for railway adventures closer to home, consider hitting the tracks in Alaska. Since 1903, the Alaska Railroad has provided travelers an intimate way to explore what later became our 49th state. Getting a seat will guarantee a breathtaking journey through scenic landscapes, national parks, fjords, snow-capped peaks, and valleys brimming with wildlife. For the ultimate Alaska experience, opt for the Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar Service, which offers glass-dome ceilings for panoramic nature viewing, a full-service dining room, and a one-of-a-kind upper-level platform for additional sightseeing.
The next time your wanderlust inspires you to explore new wonders, skip the plane and take a train!
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