Save Ottumwa Post December 20, 2023

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•••••DECEMBER 20, 2023•••••

The gift-giving season is fast approaching. If you are like a lot of people, this means you are brainstorming presents to give your children and grandchildren. While it may be tempting to purchase items like toys and clothes that Financial Gifts with a can be imLasting Impact mediately enjoyed, you may want to consider gifts that will provide value to the recipients for years to come. Here are a few financial gift ideas that they can use and appreciate long after the wrapping paper comes off.

Contribute to a savings account. Help instill the importance of financial discipline by gifting funds to open a savings account. Encourage young ones to save at least a portion of what they earn through allowance, chores, or a part-time job. Like any habit, saving takes practice before it becomes second nature.

Purchase a U.S. savings bond. Give someone you care about a secure way to save. Savings bonds are an investment backed by the U.S. government.

There are no fees or expenses, and bonds generally do not trigger state or local taxes.

Donate to charity in the recipient’s honor. A charitable donation is (Financial cont’d on pg 2)

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a thoughtful way to acknowledge a cause your loved one cares about. As you research charities to support, look for ratings that indicate how efficiently these organizations use donations.

Fund education savings. Your generous gift can help a student start saving for future college costs. There are several types of savings and investment plans designed to help students, parents and other supporters save for future education expenses. Every little bit helps. A small contribution to a 529 plan today will be given the chance to potentially grow and could make a significant difference when your child or grandchild is ready for college Help chip away at a debt. Many young adults are burdened by student loan debt. Juggling work and loan repayments can be challenging. Your loved one will be pleasantly surprised when you relieve them of loan payments.

Help with a down payment. Purchasing a car or a first home may be out of reach for many young adults. If you have loved ones who could use help with these major purchases, your financial gift can assist them as they get settled and on their way to greater financial stability.

Give the gift of cash.

Everyone appreciates a cash infusion. If you’re so inclined, you can suggest how the money is spent,

Welcome Kiley Howell, FNP-BC but they may appreciate being able to decide for themselves.

Gift an appointment with a financial advisor. Help your loved ones establish a financial plan with the assistance of an advisor you know and trust. This thoughtful gesture can create lasting value by helping lay the foundation for future financial security.

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 641-6844200 or stop by his office at 527 W. Second in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Pella Regional Health Center welcomes Kiley Howell, FNP-BC to the medical staff. She will be seeing patients at the Pella Regional Medical Clinic in Ottumwa.

“I have always had a passion for helping others,” said Howell. “Developing therapeutic relationships with patients, getting to know them, and helping them is very rewarding.”

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 641.455.5200 or visit PellaHealth.org.

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results 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 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.

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

Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

© 2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Distractions My home office has a great view. My desk is in front of a large window looking out across the lawn, to the lake and across the water up the open hillside to the timber beyond. The only problem I have is it is frequently a distraction from the work I need to accomplish. I am not saying calculating payroll taxes is not exciting, but glancing outside and seeing a herd of deer or flock of turkeys can distract from the fascinating work at hand.

This morning, there were about a hundred geese and six trumpeter swans on the lake outside of my window. The wind is blowing from the north, so they were all bunched up by the dam. If we ate geese, it would have been a good morning to go goose hunting.

A person could sneak up the back side of the dam, pop over the top, and shoot their limit.

Instead, they spent several hours swimming around and occasionally walking up the dam to eat some grass. Eventually, they all took off at once, swinging by the house as they left.

A short time later, the swans lined up, started bobbing their heads, and took flight together.

They headed north, into the wind, gaining altitude as they headed to a nearby cornfield to eat during the day. They will be back tonight near sundown.

A short time later, three bald eagles flew in, a mature one landing in a small tree on the island and two juveniles landed on the remains of a beaver house at the edge of the island. I am not sure what they were doing but they were fun to watch. I did not see them eating anything so they may have just stopped by for a drink

and to argue with each other. After a while, they flew up and glided around the area for a while before disappearing over the hill.

Billie, the office dog, has his couch near the double doors going out to the downstairs patio. From his couch, with his chin on the (Outdoors cont’d on pg 4)

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armrest, he can watch for anything I might miss if I become distracted by work. Deer on the far side of the lake coming out of the woods will cause him to stand up and watch closely.

He lets me know there are deer out there and I need to keep track of them. If the deer come into his yard, he is immediately at the door, needing to be let out to chase them. He receives great satisfaction from chasing them away. He proudly come back to tell me all about it and resumes his watchdog position on the couch.

Jag is the upstairs back-up watch dog. He guards the farm from his position in his recliner on the upstairs porch.

If we are invaded by anything from a squirrel to the UPS man, Jags response is to sit in his chair and bark.

This alerts Billie to the fact he needs to come outside and take care of the problem. I then must let Billie out to chase off whatever needs chasing and let him back in to recline on his couch after he has worked out whatever was stressing Jag. It is only one more distraction from work.

Between the wildlife and the watch dogs, I do manage to get my work done most days.

The distractions are usually the best part of the workday.

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