Mattson Financial Services - December 2020

Mattson Financial Services - December 2020

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

DECEMBER 2020

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN: DRAGONS OR SANTA CLAUS?

Right now, it’s looking likely that former Vice President Biden will become the new president on Jan. 20, 2021. And with Democrats losing House seats and not gaining anything in the Senate, many people will be watching the Georgia runoff election in January with anticipation. It may determine the balance of power in the Senate. Personally, I’m not too worried about a Biden presidency with a Republican-controlled Senate. Alternatively, if Trump stayed in office with a Republican-controlled Senate, we would see a continuation of what we’ve seen over the past four years, especially in regard to taxes. Things would stay as they are. With a Biden win and a Republican Senate, I know we’re going to see an increase in taxes, but I believe it won’t be the double-digit promise from the election. That aside, we know the Trump-era tax cuts will sunset in 2025, so we will have tax increases regardless. It’s just a matter of when. Everyone is worried that it will happen sooner rather than later, which may end up being the case. COVID-19 turned the U.S. debt into a dragon that feeds on interest payments. We’re in a place where we have to pay down not only the debt we already have but also interest. A majority of the debt the U.S. carries is owed to the people in the form of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. To pay down the debt, we have two primary choices: raise taxes or cut benefits. Or we can do a little of both. If you believe in Santa Claus, you may hope that we’ll see a gradual tax increase that is fair and based on income. It’s the kind of increase that would be acceptable to all Americans. However, there’s always the chance that the

dragon will come down from the mountains and scorch the land, demanding that tax increase in full. As I said before, I’m not concerned about a Biden presidency. I am concerned about a change within that presidency. If they impeach or find the president incapable of fulfilling his duties due to mental deficiency, we could end up with President Kamala Harris. She would potentially be the first woman (and first woman of color) to take on the role of president. While that’s great for our country, what isn’t great are her intentions. She will raise taxes, but she has also said she will give it back in the form of shelter, clothing, and food. If you are someone who has worked and saved and you have a comfortable retirement, you may have a problem with this. I know I don’t need someone to tell me what clothes to buy, what food to buy, or what kind of house I should be living in. Of course, she isn’t really talking to most of us. She talks about giving the shelter, clothing, and food back to those without the ability or desire to work and save. Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t help our fellow man, but I’m a big believer in the proverb, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” I’m not here to address the far left’s idea of socialism. We already know it doesn’t work. We’ve seen it in other countries where black markets take over and you have more lawlessness when it comes to money. Left- wing Socialists also represent a fraction of Americans. On top of that, you can’t have socialism to the degree the far left would

like with the amount of debt the U.S. has already incurred.

So, while we don’t expect doomsday, if we do end up with a Biden administration and a Democratic House AND Senate, the needle will move further to the left and away from the balanced structure we currently have. Over the past several months, we’ve seen what it looks like when people don’t have an incentive to go to work. If that continues, it will damage our free enterprise system, which could take years to repair — if it’s even possible to repair by then. So what will the next few years bring? Can we expect Santa or the dragon? As we watch the Jan. 5 runoff Senate race in Georgia, we’ll be interested in the results. It may tell us what to expect. Either way, we’ll eventually see a tax increase. My advice is to use this time to determine the best path for your future income as well as what your retirement may look like once the new tax thresholds have been announced. As the pieces fall into place, we’ll be reporting to all of our clients their individualized road maps to help them maintain their lifestyle in the lowest tax bracket possible. For now, let’s be patient and plan accordingly. Your concerns are our concerns. You can rest assured that we’re watching things closely and looking for new opportunities. It’s already been predicted that no matter what happens, we should still see growth in the marketplace, so I’m looking to the future with optimism.

–Gary Mattson

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HERBALISM: A NATURAL SOLUTION

To Improv

H erbalism, a plant-based medicine, can be used to heal and improve your body’s functions. This medical practice is thousands of years old and dates back to the ancient Egyptians, but qualified herbalists continue to use herbal medicine today. Through the use of a variety of plants (roots, flowers, and leaves), herbalism can help improve digestion and provide other benefits for your circulation, mood, energy, and stamina. Digestion is an important part of your body’s functions. Poor digestion can result in diarrhea, constipation, nausea, heartburn, gas, or bloating. Other well-known conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), involve problems with digestion. Each of these symptoms and conditions can significantly impact a person’s well-being and daily life, but the proper use of herbs can help people reduce or ease these symptoms and support digestive health.

The National Institute of Medical Herbalists states, “Many herbs are known to act directly on the digestive tract — bitters, for example, may stimulate acid and enzyme production, fennel and other aromatic herbs prevent bloating, but this is only part of the story.” If left untreated, poor digestion results in the inflammation of the digestive tract. When it comes to decreasing the risk of inflammation and other symptoms, a medical herbalist will consider a person’s total health when putting together the herbs needed for treatment. Many herbs can help your digestive system function well and stay healthy. Here are a few you can include in your daily meals or use when you have an uncomfortable gut feeling, according to TraditionalMedicinals.com. • To calm the nerves: chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender • To relieve cramping: ginger and fennel • To alleviate constipation: dandelion leaf and root tea

BE A BETTER LISTENER FOR SOMEONE Who Needs to ‘Get It All Out’

It’s not always easy to share feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or other strong emotions — but it’s healthy to share them. Sometimes, we need to vent and get it all out. Venting gives us an opportunity to release these emotions, which often leads to mental clarity. However, when someone comes to you to vent and share their heavy emotional burden, listening can be just as challenging as sharing. You want to be supportive, but you don’t want to interfere. Strong feelings and tough situations may be involved. What can you do to be the listener they really need? It starts with your body language. Open yourself to their emotional needs. Gregorio Billikopf, an interpersonal relationship expert at the University of California, Berkeley says if you begin the conversation standing, invite the person to have a seat with you. Another thing you can do as a listener is position yourself below their eye line. This puts the person venting in a more active “storyteller” position and you in a better “listener” position. While in this position, maintain eye contact. It’s okay to look down or away occasionally, but try to keep steady eye contact.

Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t offer input, suggestions, or guidance to the person venting until after the person has had the chance to get it all out. “During this venting process, there is still too much pressure for a person to consider other perspectives,” Billikopf says. While you don’t want to interject, you do want to be an active listener. This means you don’t want to be completely silent. This is where “reflective listening” comes in. Occasionally repeat what the speaker says — but don’t use their exact phrasing. Reword slightly in a sympathetic manner. Don’t spin their words or mistakenly interject an opinion, as it may not be the opinion they’re interested in hearing. Alternatively, listening cues like “mm” or “hm” and nods are always welcome. One last thing to keep in mind: You do not need to offer a solution to the person’s problem or concerns. They may just be venting to get their negative emotions out, not looking for answers or explanations. If they are looking for answers or guidance, wait for them to ask. In the meantime, lend your ear and let them know you’re there for them going forward.

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ve Your Digestive Health

For more information about herbalism and how it can benefit your health, visit the National Institute of Medical Herbalists at NIMH.org.uk.

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TAKE A BREAK!

FESTIVE APPLE CIDER RACHAEL’S

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

Ingredients

• • •

1 lemon

• •

2 tsp allspice berries

1 gallon pure apple cider 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise

1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced

• •

2 tbsp honey

•

2 tsp whole cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

Directions

1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

Solution

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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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

Do You Believe in Dragons? Or Santa Claus?

Improve Your Digestion With Herbalism

How to Be a Better Listener for Someone in Need

3

Festive Apple Cider

Mark Your Calendar!

Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

4

**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.

A Driver’s Guide to Safe Holiday Travels

WINTER ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route,

predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way.

Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger. At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little- known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you

get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.

Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!

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