Money Mentors

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...

If the economy is making you nervous, it might be tempting to sit on the sidelines with your investments. But on this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services discuss why this strategy to deal with volatility can hurt long-term retirement success and why sitting entirely in cash may not be the safe move many think it is. We also tackle a problem many retirees d...

The word “recession” is everywhere right now thanks to fuel prices, global tensions, tariffs, and market uncertainty. But how should you respond, especially if you’re already in or nearing retirement? This week, Gerald Green and Corey Davis of Mattson Financial Services break down practical, real-world strategies to help baby boomers protect their retirement income - no matter what the economy doe...

We just finished up two very important seasons: tax season & basketball season. And both might have you thinking about bracket strategies! On this week's episode, Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services helps break down how upcoming 2026 tax changes could impact your retirement income and share practical strategies to help you potentially stay in a lower bracket without sacrificing your l...

Tax Day is almost here - but before you file and forget, your return could hold valuable clues about your financial future. In this episode, Gary Mattson of Mattson Financial Services breaks down how to use your tax return as a planning tool, not just paperwork, and explore strategies the wealthy use to legally reduce taxes and build long-term wealth. We also tackle today’s volatile market environ...

What if you could crack the code on a successful retirement with just a few easy steps? On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gary Mattson of Mattson Financial Services reveal the powerful “secrets” behind smarter financial planning and how the right guidance can make a meaningful difference over time. We start with a deep dive into the real value of working with a financial advisor and how t...

Are the traditional “safe havens” still safe? In this week's episode, Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services breaks down the surprising market reactions to the ongoing Iran conflict, including why gold is falling, oil is rising, and stocks aren’t behaving the way many expected. More importantly, we explain what it means for your retirement - and how a disciplined, fiduciary-driven plan can hel...

When markets get rocky and headlines turn alarming, it’s easy to feel like you need to do something - and fast. But according to experts, the biggest mistake investors make during volatile times is often the simplest: getting out of the market at the wrong moment. In this episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services break down why emotional decisions can cost you, and how...

Everyone’s filling out basketball brackets this time of year, but are you paying enough attention to your tax bracket? In this episode, Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services breaks down why your tax bracket could have a bigger impact on your retirement than you think. We also discuss a hidden tax surprise affecting many retirees: recent Social Security changes that boosted benefits, but als...

Global headlines can make investors uneasy, especially when conflict erupts overseas and markets react in real time. In this episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services break down what rising tensions in the Middle East could mean for the markets in the short term, and more importantly, what it doesn’t mean for your long-term retirement plan. We also tackle a big debate...

What do championship hockey teams and successful retirees have in common? They know that defense wins. This week, Gerald Green and Corey Davis of Mattson Financial Services in West Michigan break down the same principles that lead to gold medals in games - discipline, preparation, and protecting the net - and how they can help you build a retirement game plan that lasts.   Learn how to build a str...

Layoffs aren’t just headlines - they’re personal. For baby boomers nearing retirement, today’s shifting labor market can feel unsettling. On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services break down the latest corporate restructuring and what it means for your investments, income strategy, and long-term security. Taylor Steward also joins us to talk about your "...

The Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching 50,000 is a historic market milestone, but what does it mean for retirement investors? And how do we keep reaching these milestones when there's still uncertainty in the economy? On this week's episode, Gary Mattson & Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services discuss the significance of this event, and the particular strategy that helps retirement inv...

Major corporations are cutting jobs, and for many workers who are close to retirement, a layoff doesn’t just mean losing a paycheck - it can feel like losing the plan they’ve spent decades building. In this episode, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson FInancial Services unpack the economic forces driving today’s wave of corporate downsizing and what it means for those nearing retirement....

Tax season isn’t just about gathering 1099 forms. It’s also a great time to take a closer look at how tax-efficient your investment portfolio really is. In this episode, Taylor Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services unpack insights on tax efficiency based on account types and tax documents, and explore what investors can do to better “shelter” their investments from unnecessary tax...

While we wait for Congress to deal with the issue of health care subsidies, a lot of our listeners who planned to retire before 65 may wonder whether they can afford health care premiums before Medicare kicks in. On this week's episode, Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss how they're helping clients navigate around this tricky issue, and still enjoy the early retireme...

From Venezuela to tariffs to the escalating feud with the Fed, there's no shortage of headlines to fuel more volatility on Wall Street to start the year. But will the January indicator set the tone for 2026? And if so, how do you prepare your portfolio? On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gary Mattson of Mattson Financial Services discuss strategies to help you avoid emotional decisions and...

We're about to enter a new tax season, but the new year also brings about some big tax changes for baby boomers. So this week, your Money Mentors at Mattson Financial break down the biggest tax changes baby boomers need to know that could impact their retirement in the years to come - and how to take advantage of lower tax rates while they last. Plus, find out which athlete thinks he can't make it...