Mattson Financial Services - April 2021

Mattson Financial Services - April 2021

F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C

616-514-3831

www.MattsonFinancial.com

APRIL 2021

HOWMUCH TIME IS LEFT ON YOUR TAPE MEASURE?

How long do you expect to live? It’s a big question and many of us don’t like to think about it, but it’s an important question. In 2020, the average life expectancy for a man in the United States was 77.8 years. The average life expectancy for a woman was 80.5 years. To put your own life into perspective, I want you to try this exercise. Find a tape measure that is at least 8 feet long, or around 100 inches. With the tape measure rolled out, put one finger on your current age, then put another finger on the average life expectancy. How far is it? This exercise gives you a perspective of just how much life you have already lived. But I want you to focus on those last 3–8 inches. These last few inches fall into the phase of retirement we call the “no-go.” The no-go phase represents the last several years of your time on earth. Your days of travel are behind you. No more jet-setting. Instead, you’re spending more time at home, going to church, going shopping here and there, and doing what you can to take care of yourself. It’s about staying comfortable. But as people plan for the no-go phase of retirement, they often overlook one critical part of the plan: end-of-life costs. I’m talking about things like funeral arrangements, burial plots, and even planning for the funeral itself. Many people don’t like to talk about this part of life, but it is still a part of life, and we have the opportunity to plan not only for ourselves, but also for our families.

I’ve been blessed to be in a place to see our clients’ many life events — many of them good, many of them bad. I’ve seen them go through marriages, births, divorces, deaths, and so much more. But these things are just a part of life. We all experience many of these things. I could list off everything that has defined my life. My own mother, at 93, is 100% in the no-go phase of retirement. If you asked her, she’d tell you she’s ready to go. She has gone through all of life’s events — she’s even survived three husbands (and she’s working on her fourth)! One thing I’ve mentioned in the past is that my mom wrote letters to me and my siblings. These letters were to be given to us upon her death. The letters recount memories from our childhood to the accomplishments she’s most proud of in our adult lives. I have survived two of my siblings. At their funerals, we read the letters my mom had written for them. All I can say is that when I receive mine, it will be the greatest thing I inherit from my mom, and I will treasure it for the remainder of my own life. But these letters served as one part of my mom’s end-of-life planning. Similarly, a few years ago, I asked my wife what she wanted to do for our wedding anniversary. Her answer was to complete our end-of-life arrangements. As part of the planning, we bought a headstone and had it engraved (we actually bought a used headstone, but that’s a

story for another time!). We also found our plot and took care of the necessary paperwork.

We then talked about burial arrangements. I plan to be cremated, and my wife does not. I also plan to go first between the two of us. After I’m cremated, my urn is to be placed into my wife’s casket. Then, we will be together for eternity — in body and spirit. The planning doesn’t end there. I also have every detail of my funeral planned out from the music to the food. Yes, I have my playlist ready to go! While guests attend the event, I want them to enjoy sushi and pasta. And, even though I’m allergic to alcohol, I’ve planned for a full-service bar. I want my family and friends to enjoy the occasion. Yes, funerals and wakes are a time of grief, but no one said you can’t grieve and have fun at the same time. We treat them as opposite feelings that shouldn’t exist together, but it’s okay to experience both within the same moment. Again, pull out the tape measure and look at the timeline of your life. How do you want your family and friends to celebrate you? What songs do you want on your playlist? If you aren’t sure where to begin with this conversation, call us and let’s talk about end-of-life planning. Get those costs out of the way and put your wishes into writing — and give your family peace of mind as they enter the next chapter of their lives as they celebrate yours.

–Gary Mattson

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

www.MattsonFinancial.com | 1

HOW TO GET FROM ‘ZERO TO ONE’

Create and Nurture Original Business Ideas

“What important truth do very few people agree with you on?”

Throughout the book, Thiel shares his wealth of knowledge garnered from a long, successful career of recognizing and acting on original ideas. According to him, and anyone else who has ever tried creating something wholly unique, developing an original idea is no easy task. The difficulty of originality even led Mark Twain to once say “There is no such thing as a new idea. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope.” But in “Zero to One,” Thiel proves that coming up with original ideas is possible, and he provides readers with helpful tips and lessons for how to get there. One such lesson: Stop trying to be the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg because “if you’re copying these guys, you aren’t learning from them.” Thiel uses his favorite interview question to try to identify original thinkers. These are the people who take their businesses from zero to one because they looked at past successes and thought, “I can do it differently, and I can do it better.” If you want to be in that group, then reading Thiel’s advice in “Zero to One” is a great place to start.

That’s entrepreneur and author Peter Thiel’s favorite interview question. To Thiel, a person’s answer to that question provides insight into whether they’ll be able to find success as an entrepreneur. Ideally, if you can answer with something like “Most people believe in X, but the truth is the opposite of X,” then you’re well on your way from zero to one and creating an original business idea. That’s what Thiel explores in his book “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future.” “Zero to One” is all about coming up with and nurturing unique ideas, which are the foundation of game-changing businesses. As a co- founder and investor in a number of companies that have changed the business landscape, Thiel has some authority on this subject. He co-founded Cofinity (which later became PayPal) and invested in startups like Facebook, SpaceX, Lyft, and Airbnb whose ideas were so novel at the start that they were perceived as risky by many.

DON’T THINK — JUST GO GREEN! 3 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Impact on the Environment

Eat less meat. We’re not saying you have to give up your cheeseburgers or ribs, but opting for fewer meat-focused meals could create big impacts on a global scale. According to the Center for a Livable Future, if just 32% of Americans opted for meatless meals one day each week, it would be equivalent to reducing the impact of emissions from 1.6 million cars each year. Swap meat for beans, tofu, cauliflower, squashes, or a vegetarian soup. Delish.com has a great selection of vegetarian- based meals if you’re ready to start. Shop locally. When you venture into “Meatless Monday” or search for products that reduce your single-use footprint, consider shopping locally. According to Transport & Environment, shipping could contribute to 10% of all carbon emissions by 2050. One way you can help reduce the reliance on global shipping is by focusing on locally sourced products and foods. Shop for produce at the local farmer’s market, seek out local crafters for gifts, and buy your clothes from local retailers who purchased the materials locally. Large store chains can also have local sections that make this endeavor easier! To get started, check with your local chamber of commerce for a list of shops to visit.

Living a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle is all the rage these days. Celebrities like Mark Ruffalo, Jessica Alba, and Emma Watson continue to make big waves by supporting eco-conscious causes and by boasting their eco-friendly products. Not everyone has the budget or the ability to go as eco-friendly as our celebrity counterparts, but “going green” isn’t as difficult as you may think. This Earth Day, try adapting some of these easy eco- friendly tips into your daily life!

Reduce your reliance on single-use items. Swap out items like paper towels, plastic water bottles, shampoos and conditioners, straws, plastic bags, and other single-use products that fulfill a need for you once and then end up in a landfill. Instead, find creative ways to avoid these single-use products. You can cut up old shirts to use as rags, fill up reusable water bottles instead of buying throwaway plastic ones, and use cloth bags instead of plastic sacks at the grocery store. If you’re looking for new products, consider shampoo bars or refillable bottles for hair care products from companies like Plaine Products or EcoRoots.

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

2 | 616-514-3831

Upcoming Events Join us at one of our financial webinars or other fun events. Visit MattsonFinancial.com/events to stay up to date!

TAKE A BREAK!

ABIGAIL’S

SPRING VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN PASTA BAKE

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

Ingredients

• •

1 cup cooked chicken, diced

•

1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided

1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered

•

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided 2 tsp minced garlic

• • •

1 cup fresh asparagus pieces

1/2 cup carrots, grated

• • •

1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

•

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.

Solution

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

www.MattsonFinancial.com | 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

106.9 FM and 1300 AM Saturdays from 7–8 a.m. Sundays from 11 a.m.—12 p.m.

F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C

3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2

How Much Time Is Left on Your Tape Measure?

‘Zero to One’: A Book Review

Go Green in 3 Easy Steps

3

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

Mark Your Calendar!

4

The Origins of Pennsylvania Dutch

**Reminder: If you have any changes to your financial situation, please notify us as soon as possible.

Investment advisory services are offered through Mattson Financial Services, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in the state of Michigan. Insurance products and services are offered through Lakeview Financial Group, LLC. Mattson Financial Services, LLC and Lakeview Financial Group, LLC are affiliated companies.

The Origins of a Truly American Language:

Pennsylvania Dutch

People often assume American culture isn’t as rich as other cultures, but that simply isn’t true. Americans have developed unique values, mannerisms, art, music, and even languages across their diverse nation. One great example of this is Pennsylvania Dutch. The language didn’t evolve from Dutch, interestingly enough. It started when early German immigrants needed to escape from the Holy Roman Empire regions of Europe to avoid religious persecution. Many of them escaped to Pennsylvania, which is still 29.9% German today. These immigrants generally didn’t bring many belongings; however, they did bring a rich dialect. So, why is it called Pennsylvania Dutch? Rather than a mistranslation, it’s a corruption of the Pennsylvania German endonym Deitsch , which means “Pennsylvania Dutch/German”

or “German.” The terms Deitsch, Dutch, Diets , and Deutsch are all cognates of the proto- Germanic word piudiskaz , meaning “popular” or “of the people.” The language flourished safely within German immigrant communities and religious sects; however, while 10% of the original Pennsylvania Dutch settlers were Amish and Old Order Mennonites, today over 250,000 people speak the Germanic language, mainly in Pennsylvania and Ohio. You might be wondering how this language is different from German, considering its roots. It’s entirely different, as it turns out. Pennsylvania Dutch shares the most similarities with the Palatine German dialect, a small southwestern region of Germany where most Pennsylvanian settlers came from. If you can speak Pennsylvania Dutch,

you can likely converse with Palatine Germans to a limited extent.

Can you write in Pennsylvania Dutch? Yes! However, not many speakers read and write in it, so it doesn’t have standardized spelling rules. If you’re curious to see it in print, however, look at the only Pennsylvania Dutch newspaper in the U.S.: Hiwwe wie Driwwe. Scholarly efforts have also been made to advance the language, such as the Pennsylvania German Studies minor program at Kutztown University.

We hope you enjoyed learning a new fact or two about American history! Enjoy your April!

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

4 | 616-514-3831