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 practical steps you can take to protect your purchasing power, whether you’re already retired or planning to claim benefits soon.

Find out how to build a plan that keeps up with your real cost of living. Schedule a chat now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

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’s journey, why he ended up working well past traditional retirement age, and the planning mistakes many of us make. Most importantly, they share practical steps you can take now to avoid a similar situation. Need help building a retirement plan you can rely on? Connect with our team at MattsonFinancial.com.

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 look at investments for retirement and the practical steps they use at Mattson Financial Services to help clients keep their plans on track. It’s a relaxed, honest conversation about what really matters when you’re trying to protect your lifestyle and make smart choices with the wealth you’ve built. If you’d like a second opinion on your retirement portfolio, you can always schedule a chat at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

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't forget to add a visit to Mattson Financial to your year-end to-do list. Connect now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

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's possible to save too much for retirement. Snag one of our final year-end slots for a review of your retirement plan at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

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 prepare you for the upcoming holiday shopping season - and tackle some last-minute financial moves for 2025. Need a second opinion your plan in the home stretch of this year? Connect for a chat at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

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 questions for your Money Mentors? Connect now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

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 chat now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

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 University of Michigan on which group of consumers is still feeling the most confident about the economy. Have a question about anything you hear on this week's episode? Connect for a chat at www.MattsonFinancial.com.