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People sure have an uncanny romance with their food and social media. They’ll prepare dinner, then begin a photo shoot of the meal. The lighting must be just right; a serving utensil or tableware may need to be adjusted to eliminate an unsightly reflection. Several shots will be necessary to get the best plume of steam rising from the entrée. The family and children may be starving, but they’ll have to wait until the perfect image is staged and captured for posting. The meal can be reheated in the microwave if it gets cold, but it is imperative to get that photo while the food is hot.

During dinner, they can think about the narrative to accompany the photo, describing the fruits of their labor. I keep referring to these people as ‘they.’ However, I must confess I am one of those people.

I practice fasting and abstain from eating meat on Fridays during lent, a fish day, as it is often referred to. I planned to make fish tacos for supper last Friday; I would get some excellent photos to post. Fish tacos; I wrote them off as a dumb idea when I’d first heard of them. Everyone knows a taco is made with a seasoned ground beef mixture. However, we did accept chicken as the protein in a taco and then brisket. I guess we have pork tacos now, too, so why not let the fish in the shell as well? Still, I planned to hold out, resisting the notion. “Fish tacos. That’s just weird,” I grumbled.

“I suppose they’re okay for other people,” I conceded, “but I, for one, will not be eating them.”

Then one day, several years ago, my wife ordered fish tacos at Tacky Jack’s restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. My own wife turned against me.

“Just try a bite,” she said while holding a fish taco near my face, but I refused.

“I will not,” I insisted.

“That’s gross and goes against the natural order of the taco.” While I was expressing my protest, my wife shoved the taco in my mouth. I naturally took a bite because my mouth was always moving. “Hey,” I admitted, “that’s pretty good.” Melissa offered another bite, but I ate the rest of the fish taco instead.

Melissa’s meal came with three fish tacos. I was eyeing the last taco on her plate. “Are you going to eat that,” I asked. She shunned my interest in her food. “Yes, I’m going to eat it,” she said, then reminded me of all the negative things I’d said about fish tacos. …not good at all…vampires…fire-breathing dragon…beyond control…

Read the whole column online at ottumwapost. com

Making Smart Choices with Home Equity Lines of Credit

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can be a valuable and convenient way for homeowners to access the equity they have built in their property and help meet cash flow needs. A HELOC allows borrowers to draw funds as needed, making it a popular choice for financing home renovations, debt consolidation and other expenses. While it may be a more attractive option than traditional loans or other forms of borrowing, it’s important to be aware of not just the opportunities it creates, but potential pitfalls, as well.

How home equity lines work

A HELOC is a revolving account that can be established for a set amount (limited to a percentage of your equity in the home) and accessed as funding needs arise. While there are some nominal costs associated with establishing a HELOC, it is typically less expensive to set up than other forms of borrowing.

An interest rate is associated with any funds you borrow through your HELOC. In most cases, the rate charged will be variable, subject to change as market interest rates move up and down. Interest is only charged when you’ve borrowed money.

Making good choices with your HELOC

Borrowing against your home equity may be most effective when:

• Paying off loans with a higher interest charge, such as credit card debt

• Investing in a home improvement that may increase the value of your home over time

Funding a big-ticket purchase that can be classified as a necessity, such as another car for the household

• Paying for a major, unexpected expense or providing a financial bridge if you should lose your job

Prudent borrowing is important with a HELOC. For instance, it’s best to avoid borrowing from this source of funds to make frivolous purchases or to pay for a vacation. When used, this money should provide a longterm benefit that will make the months and years of repayments and interest charges worthwhile.

Other considerations

While HELOCs offer tremendous benefits to those who have built up significant home equity, it’s important to understand potential downsides to this form of borrowing.

Consider that your home -- perhaps one of your most important financial investments and, quite literally, the roof over your head -- is being used as collateral to fund other expenses. That creates a risk in the event the market value of your home should decline, which may require you to pay back the debt sooner. Or, if you miss payments, the borrower could foreclose on your property.

Even though the HELOC is based on your home’s value, interest is not completely tax deductible. Only interest on funds borrowed to buy, build or substantially improve the home can be deducted.

One additional caution is to avoid looking at a HELOC as a readily-accessible piggy bank. You need to be discerning in how you use this resource, as the money does have to be paid back with interest, which can create a future financial burden if not used judiciously.

Consider HELOCs as part of your plan

As you weigh the potential of a HELOC, assess how it will work with your overall financial plan. It can help to talk to an advisor about the pros and cons for your own unique circumstances.

Duane J Lusson, CFP, ChFC, CLU, MSFS, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Ottumwa, Iowa. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 30 years. To contact him, call 641-684-4200 or stop by his office at 527 W. Second in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

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