Money Mentors

It's 2026...time to set some new retirement goals! This week, Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services help you get ready to set some of those resolutions (we call them dreams, goals and desires). Plus, we'll discuss different retirement scenarios you might want to consider as you think ahead to the next chapter. Schedule your January visit with our team of fiduciary advisors now...

Happy New Year! The changing of the calendar can bring excitement, but also some nervousness about what's ahead. And a new survey sheds some light on what's most concerning to retirees as we head into the new year. This week, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson FInancial Services discuss the biggest concerns and how to start setting some realistic goals for your retirement. Find a few minut...

A 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 sounds helpful, but for many retirees, it may still fall short. On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services break down why the latest Social Security COLA may not keep pace with the expenses that matter most to baby boomers, including healthcare, Medicare premiums, and everyday essentials. We’ll also discuss practi...

Did you hear about the 88-year-old Michigan man who's finally able to retire thanks to the kindness of strangers? After a social media influencer helped launch a GoFundMe campaign, Ed Bambas' story went viral, shining a light on what can happen when retirement planning falls short.  On this week's episode of "Money Mentors," Taylor Steward and Riley Ruff of Mattson Financial Services break down Ed...

Crypto is sliding - and it’s a reminder that not every hot investment belongs in a retirement portfolio. This week, Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services break down what the recent crypto drop means for long-term investors and how to stay steady in a volatile 2025 market. Need a second opinion on your strategy? Schedule a chat now at www. MattsonFinancial.com. 

When you’re deciding where to save your retirement dollars, some investments might seem like a “can’t miss.” But even the most familiar names can fade. Think about Sears. At one point, stores were everywhere, now there are only a handful. And real estate? Some years it feels like a gold mine, other years… not so much. On this week’s episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green talk through how they lo...

As we enter a season of giving, there are also year-end strategies you can use to make the most out of your charitable contributions - or even health expenses. Laurel Steward and Gary Mattson of Mattson Financial Services discuss those steps on this week's episode. And instead of standing in line for hours for Black Friday deals, we have some other moves that could bring you even more savings! Don...

A new move by the White House could save retirees thousands of dollars on popular weight loss drugs, starting in 2026. But other drug costs are still very high - and unpredictable. On this week's episode, Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss how they help clients prepare for the unexpected costs when it comes to medical care in retirement. We'll also explore whether it...

From GM to Amazon to Meta, major companies are announcing thousands of job cuts in the 4th quarter, and whether you're one of those workers or an investor in one of these companies, it can have an impact on you. On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services discuss the impact of these mass layoffs and how to adjust to the changing labor market. We'll also pr...

A gambling scandal that's rocked the sports world is providing some lessons for average investors: are we risking too much of what we've worked so hard to achieve - when there's no need for that kind of risk? Gary Mattson and Gerald Green dive into that question this week, as well as Medicare surprises - and what you can do with that extra hour you got this week from the time change. Have question...

Just like the weather, some big financial changes are in the air this fall. And if you're unprepared, things like market volatility, a government shutdown, tariffs and layoffs could impact you. On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services discuss how to adapt financially and prepare yourself for what's ahead. Need a year-end financial checkup? Schedule a ch...

Unless you work for the federal government or are doing some traveling right now, how much does the federal government shutdown really impact you? Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services dig into that topic this week, discussing the potential impact of government gridlock - and how to protect your finances at times like this. We'll also share the results of a new survey from the...

The final few months of 2025 bring some unique planning opportunities when it comes to investing and tax planning. On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Gary Mattson of Mattson Financial Services break down the plays they're helping their clients make in the 4th quarter, as well as steps you can take to help maximize your retirement income as inflation creeps higher. Schedule your year-end re...

There are plenty of good things happening financially in 2025 - and some not-so-good things, so it's easy to make mistakes in a year like this one. On this week's episode, Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss 4 mistakes retirees might be making when it comes to finances - and how to address them before the year is up! Need a year-end check-up on your retirement pla...

It's easy to make financial mistakes in retirement, but we want to help you avoid them, especially those that can be costly. This week, Laurel Steward and Gary Mattson of Mattson Financial Services continue our series on the potential mistakes that could cost you $100,000 or more in retirement - focusing on some of the tax and legal landmines that sometimes trip up retirees. Have questions about a...

We've all made financial mistakes, but hopefully, they've been ones you can recover from quickly. But when it comes to retirement, there are major decisions that could end up costing you hundreds, thousands - potentially even hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your retirement. This week, Gary Mattson & Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services begin our discussion on these co...

We all know prices have been going up for the last few years on just about everything, but have you checked out the price of vegetables lately? We'll discuss the dramatic jump in prices in what analysts are calling "veggie-flation," and how to prepare your retirement income plan to handle it. Plus, get a peek inside Gary's past side hustle - as a school bus driver! Find more retirement resources n...

Navigating retirement as a couple can be exciting - but also challenging. After all, you might have different ideas or goals, and you might not discover that until you start putting your plan together. So, on this week's episode, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services give you 3 questions to think about as you're getting started on your plan. Need help with the conversatio...

Another company just joined the $4 trillion club, just weeks after Nvidia became the first to do so. So, what's driving these eye-popping numbers? Artificial intelligence! On this week's episode, Gerald Green and Corey Davis of Mattson Financial Services discuss what's behind this AI boom, and what to do if you feel like you've been left behind as an investor. Need a second opinion on your strateg...

The White House just made it easier for 401(k) plans to offer riskier investment choices, like private equity. But how do you know if it's too risky for your retirement goals? Gary Mattson and Taylor Steward break down the issue this week, as well as how to decide between saving in a traditional vs. a Roth 401(k). Download more info about how to manage - and avoid mistakes - in our free guide at w...

This week, we continue our discussion about the big changes under the One Big Beautiful Act - specifically, the tax cut extensions and what that means from a planning perspective for the next few years. And that's not the only thing Congress has been up to. Listen as Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward explain the new crypto legislation in Washington, and how that might impact your investment strategy...

You've heard it's big and beautiful - and yes, it's thousands of pages long...but what does the new law passed by Congress mean for you & your retirement? The team at Mattson Financial Services has been digging into the details, and on this week's episode, Gary Mattson and Gerald Green discuss some of the highlights and how it could impact your finances. Schedule a chat to go over any changes...

These might be the lazy days of summer, but that doesn't mean your money can take a snooze. On this week's episode, Gary Mattson and Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services discuss the ways your money could still be working for you while you unplug for vacations and other fun things, without worrying about the headlines. Want to chat about your options? Connect now at www. MattsonFinancial.com...

If you've avoided the conversation about long-term care, you're certainly not alone. A new University of Michigan study sheds some light on just how many people put off the planning. On this week's episode, Laurel Steward and Corey Davis discuss why - and some of the misconceptions about what's covered by programs like Medicare. You might be surprised about the options that are available. Schedule...

A new survey has some surprising results on what Americans think are the best long-term investments (hint: it's not stocks!). This week, Laurel & Taylor Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss the results and how they help clients invest for the years ahead in retirement, while weighing risk and their long-term goals. Schedule a time to go over your plan at www. MattsonFinancial.com .