Take a look at our October newsletter!
FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
616-514-3831
www.MattsonFinancial.com
October 2025
Harvest Your Wealth Fall Treats With CDs and Structured Notes
I have to be transparent here: I’m not entirely sure why, but banks handle more Certificates of Deposit (CDs) in October than any other month. Perhaps they coincide with the festive spirit, offering savings options as colorful as autumn leaves! But this raises the question: Is a CD the best place to invest your non-qualified (after-tax) funds? Let’s dissect the typical CD requirements. First, you’re tied to a fixed timeframe, and not the pumpkin-spiced kind! Second, if you need to withdraw even a small portion, you might feel as if you’re getting tricked instead of treated, as you lose the prevailing interest rate. Third, the tax ghost visits yearly with a 1099, and you pay taxes on interest you’ve yet to use. However, CDs do offer more interest than most retail bank products, giving you some extra candy in your financial basket.
creditworthiness, which is why we trust only the top-rated institutions. The income notes disburse interest that’s taxable upon receipt, and an early exit might yield less than your original investment. Some are callable after a year, so when interest rates drop, you might not get the full period you signed up for. Plus, remember advisor fees are a necessary part of this thrilling ride. So, why bother? Getting a better return compared to CDs is like finding an extra stash of candy after Halloween! Some notes provide regular payouts, and portions can be withdrawn, allowing your treasure trove to keep growing. Let’s focus on the income-generating structured note. Clients rave about these investments for their potential benefits and flexibility, offering continuous income without sacrificing the principal. By embracing a diversified approach, clients cultivate a regular flow of income with staggered maturity periods, ensuring access to their bounty. With each maturity, we reassess needs, direction, and dive back in (or change course altogether). Structured notes have been the province of the wealthy for decades. Thanks to bundling efforts through firms like ours, you can join this captivating venture with as little as $25,000. But remember, not all notes are woven with the same magic; sometimes, we wait for the stars (and rates) to align. Consult your trusted advisor at Mattson Financial Services, LLC, to craft a pathway to the financial magic you desire.
But what’s the alternative?
More and more, we’re exploring the world of structured notes. These notes come in a variety of flavors, from interest accumulation to regular income payouts, all while offering protection against market volatility. In some cases, they even offer 100% principal protection. Imagine an investment bank crafting these like mysterious potions, where you might find growth and even a sprinkle of downside protection. While the window to jump on these opportunities is brief, it’s like finding the golden ticket!
–Gary Mattson
However, I must wave my warning wand: Structured notes lack the FDIC’s magical protection. They rely on the bank’s own
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Mission Im-paw-sible: Florida Cat’s Epic G
No one likes going to the doctor, but for one Florida feline, a routine visit to the vet turned into a daring escape. Just after being neutered at SPCA Florida, George the cat put his kitty GPS to the test when he broke out of his cage, trying to make his way home. As if his daring getaway wasn’t impressive enough, the tabby scampered across 3 miles full of obstacles to return to his owners’ doorstep. On the day of the incident, George managed to pop his cage open and scurry out in a matter of seconds. Still loopy from anesthesia, the housecat evaded clinic staff, scaling up fencing before disappearing. Employees did everything they could to stop the escape artist, lifting each other over fences, but George was too quick and determined to catch.
Owner Bob Beasock was heartbroken by the news and searched for his little buddy alongside clinic staff for nearly a week. Just when it looked like they might never find his furry companion, Bob found him at home, curled up in his favorite armchair in the carport. “There was George, stretched out in his chair in our carport, looking like he had just returned from a grand adventure,” Bob told reporters. ”He was a bit thinner, clearly hungry, but otherwise no worse for the wear.” Though George was unscathed, his journey home was no walk in the park. He had to trek through multiple subdivisions, maneuver around a couple of lakes, and cross five or six roads to reach his destination.
Cats are skilled navigators who use a combination of scent, visual markers, and even geomagnetism to find their way around. But George’s journey wasn’t all prompted by a deep instinct or fear of the vet; he just wanted to get back to his owner. Though they express it more subtly than dogs, research has found that cats love their humans and form a deep attachment with their owners. Bob was relieved to find George safe and sound, but said he would have done it just a little differently if he ever found himself fleeing his doctor’s appointment.
“If I had been stuck there, I would’ve called an Uber. But George didn’t have that option.”
EMPTY NEST, FRESH START Smart Housing Moves for Your Next Chapter
Fall is a season of fresh starts for teenagers and young adults as they begin college
guests? Or have you been yearning for the freedom to travel without the responsibility of maintaining your house? If so, moving to a smaller home or remodeling your current one may best serve your needs. HEALTH No one wants to think about potential declines in their health, but laying the groundwork now to meet changing needs can avert untold hassles and expenses in the future. Is your current home easy to navigate? Is it free of stairs, narrow hallways, or small bathrooms? If such obstacles would make it difficult for you to live there as you grow older, renovating your home or moving to an age-appropriate residence may be wise. FINANCES Any decision about keeping, remodeling, or moving out of your present home involves financial tradeoffs. Staying in place allows you to build more equity in your home, but it bypasses the opportunity to cash out and invest the money elsewhere. Remodeling or updating your home imposes upfront costs but could increase its future value. And while trading down to a smaller home may reduce your utility, insurance, tax, and mortgage payments, it also may impose other unforeseen costs, such as homeowners’ association fees.
or take a new job. But it brings different challenges for many
parents, who may feel abandoned and forgotten in an empty house.
A well-known clinical psychologist once said that your child’s life will be filled with fresh experiences, and it’s good if yours is, too! Figuring
out what to do with all that space is a promising place to begin. Of course, there is no one right answer, but here are some factors to consider as you determine your best path forward.
LIFESTYLE The letting-go stage often stirs deeper questions of personal identity for parents. How do you see your life as an empty-nester changing? Do you cherish the comfort and familiarity of your current home and community and enjoy having peace, quiet, and extra space to welcome
As these tradeoffs show, every empty-nester’s dreams and circumstances are different. Only you can decide the right moves for you!
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Getaway From the Vet
October Educational Event Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, 4:30–6:30 p.m. Kent District Library Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch 4950 Breton Rd. SE Kentwood, MI 49508 You’re invited! Join us for an insightful and engaging evening designed to give you the knowledge and confidence you need to plan for your financial future. This free educational event is perfect for those nearing or already enjoying retirement. Here’s what’s on the agenda: • Kent County Market Outlook : Key real estate trends to watch • Cybersecurity Essentials : Protect yourself in a digital world • Live Market Update : Timely insights on the economy and how shifting trends may affect your retirement strategy Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable perspectives and practical takeaways from our team and guest experts! Upcoming Events
Laurel’s
Apple Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients Topping •
• • • • •
1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• •
1/4 tsp salt 3/4 cup milk
3 Honeycrisp apples
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cake •
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• •
1 tsp vanilla extract
•
1 large egg
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a 9-inch round cake pan, add butter for topping. Place in oven for a few minutes until melted. 3. Sprinkle brown sugar over melted butter. 4. Cut apples into half circles about 1/4-inch thick (no need to peel) and arrange them in circles, overlapping slightly until they fill the entire pan. Set aside. 5. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. 6. Add milk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg. Whisk until combined. 7. Pour batter over apple slices, smoothing as needed. 8. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 9. Let cool to room temperature, invert on a plate, and serve.
Scan the QR code to view other upcoming events.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
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3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Are Structured Notes the Financial Magic You Need?
2
A Daring Kitty GPS Test
Downsize, Redesign, or Stay Put? Housing Tips for Empty Nesters
3
Apple Upside-Down Cake
Upcoming Events
4
Be the Grandparent They’ll Never Forget
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.
MEANINGFUL WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS Create Memories That Last
There’s something very special about the grandchild-grandparent relationship. While parents often must play the role of disciplinarian so their kids stay out of trouble and become the best version of themselves, grandparents get to spoil and pamper the grandchildren. Most grandparents want this relationship to be as strong as possible, but it’s easier said than done, especially if you only see your grandkids a few times each year. Here are three strategies you can implement to strengthen your relationship with your grandchildren while allowing you to make memories to last for the rest of their lives. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOLIDAYS. The holiday season is a time for families to get together, participate in time-honored traditions,
and share their love for one another. Make sure you set aside time for your grandkids. Show them your favorite holiday movies, encourage them to help cook a few dishes, and involve them in your traditions and activities. Once you establish these activities, pay attention to how your grandchildren react. If they enjoy them, do it again next year! PRIORITIZE OUTINGS OVER GIFTS. Take a second to think about the best gift you received during your childhood. Now, imagine the best trip, vacation, or family outing you had as a kid. Which memory is stronger? You likely can’t even remember a specific gift you received, but those memories of trips to the zoo, beach, or mall have remained strong. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on gifts, consider taking your grandchildren out for an evening together.
DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. To put it simply, your grandchildren will only get so much enjoyment participating in your favorite activities or regular routine. Figure out what they like and participate in those activities right alongside them. They’ll never forget the day they saw grandma ride around in a go-kart, grandpa win the big prize at the arcade, or their grandparents adding the finishing touches to an art masterpiece!
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