Money Mentors

Are political headlines influencing your financial decisions? Are you paying too much in investment fees? And could the first five years of retirement make or break your financial future? This week, Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services look beyond the headlines to explore what really matters when it comes to protecting and growing your wealth. We discuss why Americans may be d...

Retirement planning is about more than growing your savings. It's also about protecting what you've built from unexpected taxes, costly mistakes, and financial surprises that could derail your plans. This week, Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services explore why retirement tax planning is becoming a guessing game as future tax laws remain uncertain, and why diversifying your...

Will Social Security be there for you? Could rising Medicare costs derail your retirement budget? And how do you know when you’re truly ready to retire? This week, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services are taking a closer look at the common fears for retirees, and discuss how to tackle them head on.  We’ll explore potential changes to Social Security, including possible b...

The current bull market is celebrating its fourth birthday, with the S&P 500 up more than 118% since its 2022 low. But with bond yields rising and market conditions changing, is it time to rethink your retirement strategy - or stay the course? This week, Gary Mattson & Riley Ruff of Mattson Financial Services explore how to navigate market opportunities, prepare for rising health care cost...

You’ve spent decades saving for retirement - but how do you know when it’s time to start spending? On this episode, Gary Mattson & Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services explore why so many retirees struggle to tap into their hard-earned savings, and how a thoughtful retirement income strategy can help you enjoy more of what you’ve worked for. Plus, the key financial moves to make before r...

Should you prioritize Roth retirement accounts over traditional 401(k)s, and how can you make the most of today’s tax environment? On this week's episode, Gary Mattson and Riley Ruff of Mattson Financial Services explore tax-smart retirement strategies, what changing interest rates could mean for your savings, and how to make informed health care and Social Security decisions. Plus, discover why e...

From rising grocery bills to costly retirement planning mistakes, inflation and financial uncertainty can take a bigger bite out of your retirement savings than you might expect. Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss how to account for rising costs in your retirement plan, whether holding too much cash in money market accounts could be hurting your long-term goals,...

AI volatility, changing markets and economic uncertainty can make retirement investors wonder whether it’s time to rethink their portfolios. This week, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services look at how to cut through the noise surrounding AI and determine whether portfolio changes are actually warranted. We also explore the surprising return of corporate pensions and what...

What separates the most successful retirement savers from everyone else? It may have less to do with investment genius and more to do with discipline, planning and the financial habits they build over time. This week, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services break down the strategies common among top retirement savers - from maximizing contributions and managing taxes to mai...

Saving a seven-figure retirement portfolio is a major accomplishment (and one that should be celebrated!), but it doesn’t mean you can simply set it and forget it. On this episode, Laurel Steward of Mattson FInancial Services examines why today’s bond market matters to retirees, how to make sure your portfolio is built for both income and growth, and the hidden tax and Medicare costs that can catc...

A new University of Michigan policy is giving freshmen something many of us could use more of at any age: time to adjust. The pass/no-credit approach recognizes that stepping into a new chapter can take time - and retirement is no different. On this episode of Money Mentors, Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services looks at why giving yourself time to adjust can make for a more successful retire...

What does it really take to stay financially secure in retirement? In this episode, Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services takes a closer look at the numbers behind today’s biggest retirement-planning challenges - from inflation and emergency savings to Social Security, 401(k) rollovers, RMDs and health care costs. We’ll discuss how retirees can plan for rising expenses when their income may n...

Back-to-school season can bring a surprising milestone: for some parents, there’s no longer anyone heading back to school. When the last child leaves home, the emotional transition can be significant - but so can the financial opportunity. This week, your Money Mentors at Mattson Financial Services explore how empty nesters can put newly available cash flow to work for their own future, from boost...

Choosing a financial advisor can feel overwhelming - but does the size of the firm really make a difference? In this episode, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services explore the pros and cons of large firms versus smaller independent advisors, what really matters when choosing someone to guide your retirement, and the questions every investor should ask before making a deci...

Retirement isn't just about saving enough - it's about making smart decisions along the way. In this episode, Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services answer questions many retirees and pre-retirees are asking: Is a Roth conversion right for me? Should couples retire together or separately? What's really happening with AI stocks and the "Magnificent 7"? How do I know when I'm...

What do Lionel Messi and retirement planning have in common? More than you might think. Even the greatest soccer player of all time has struggled with one of the game's simplest moments - the penalty kick. It's a reminder that doing almost everything right doesn't guarantee success if you overlook the fundamentals. In this episode of Money Mentors, Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services explor...

Alan Greenspan's famous warning about "irrational exuberance" is back in the spotlight - but what does it really mean for today's AI-driven market? Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services helps separate hype from history and discusses how investors can stay focused without getting caught up in market emotions. Plus, could your own bank statements reveal the retirement income you actually need...

Halfway through the year is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your retirement plan. On this week's episode, Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services walk us through a practical mid-year financial checkup - from rebalancing investments and increasing retirement savings to updating your financial plan and preparing for changing expenses. They also discuss whether semi-ret...

How do you know when it's time to stop saving and start spending? On this week's episode of Money Mentors, Taylor Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson FInancial Services discuss one of the biggest challenges retirees face: giving themselves permission to enjoy the money they've worked so hard to accumulate. From expensive sporting events and dream vacations to major purchases and bucket-list experi...

Just like that paycheck that hit your bank account while you were working, you want the same type of consistency in retirement. On this week's episode, Gary Mattson and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services discuss how Social Security, pensions, and other guaranteed income sources can help cover essential expenses and provide additional peace of mind during volatile times. Plus, before you ha...

Hearing about layoffs can feel a lot like hearing the theme from Jaws: you know something big could be coming, but you're not sure when or how it will affect you. With companies announcing workforce reductions and buyouts across the country, many baby boomers may find themselves facing an unexpected early retirement. On this episode, Corey Davis and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services discu...

You've probably heard the old Wall Street saying: "Sell in May and go away." But does that advice still hold up in today's markets? On this week's episode of Money Mentors, Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services explore whether seasonal investing strategies are fact or fiction. With recent research showing investors who stepped out of the market may have missed meaningful su...

You’ve worked hard to build your retirement savings, but are hidden fees slowly eating away at the wealth you’ve accumulated? On this week’s episode, Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services breaks down the often-overlooked costs buried inside retirement accounts, mutual funds, and investment strategies that can quietly cost high net worth retirees thousands of dollars every year. We’ll discus...

Despite some ups & downs in the markets, many Americans are still heavily invested in their 401(k)s  - and that could create unexpected risks as retirement gets closer. On this week’s episode, Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss why having a large balance doesn’t always mean you’re protected, and how retirees and pre-retirees can avoid some of the biggest mistakes...

Many Americans are doing the hard part - saving for retirement - but a surprising number are making one critical mistake: leaving that money sitting in cash instead of properly invested for long-term growth. On this week’s episode, financial advisors Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss why this happens, the risks it can create for your retirement future, and the s...