Save Ottumwa Post February 21, 2024

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•••••FEBRUARY 21 , 2024•••••

As an investor, one way you can enhance your long-term retirement security is to fully leverage the potential of taxadvantaged retirement savings vehicles. Each year, the IRS releases new guidelines on the You Can Save More for amount of money you Retirement in 2024 can contribute to these accounts. New contribution limits in 2024 allow you to save even more this year through plans such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s and IRAs. Changes to workplace savings limits Contribution limits for workplace retirement accounts have been raised by $500 for the year 2024. In 2024, the IRS allows pre-tax employee contributions to 401(k) or 403(b) plans of: • $23,000 for those under age 50 • $30,500 for those age 50 and older (includes a $7,500 “catch up” contribution).

When combined with employer contributions, a maximum of $69,000 can be directed to your workplace retirement plans in 2024 (plus the $7,500 catchup contribution for those age 50 and (Financial cont’d on pg 2)

PAGE 2 (Financial cont’d from pg 1) your earned income if

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you earn less than the older). Note that total limits stated above. Also, contributions can’t exthese limits apply to total ceed your annual comIRA contributions for the pensation at the compa- year. This is applicable ny that houses your plan. even if you hold multiple IRAs or make contribuIf offered by your emtions to both Roth IRAs ployer, you may be (which feature the potenable to make after-tax tial for tax-free earnings contributions to a Roth growth) and traditional 401(k). Note that any IRAs. after-tax contributions are counted toward the To make fully tax-de$69,000 total maximum ductible (pre-tax) tradilimit for employee and tional IRA contributions employer contributions in 2024, your modified to workplace plans. Save adjusted gross income an amount that makes cannot exceed: sense for you, but it can · $77,000 for single be beneficial to take full or head-of-household tax advantage of any match- filers ing contribution offered · $123,000 for marby your employer. For ried couples filing a joint example, if an employer return. offers to match up to 5% of your income into Not everyone can make a 401(k) if you make a maximum Roth IRA consimilar contribution, it, in tributions. In 2024, full effect, means you’re dou- Roth IRA contributions bling your contribution can only occur if your for your retirement savmodified adjusted gross ings, before investment income is less than: earnings are taken into • $146,000 for sinaccount. This is a great gle or head-of-household way for your savings to tax filers make a big impact.

• $230,000 for married couples filing a joint New IRA contribution return. limits IRA contribution limits Save diligently, plan move up periodically wisely to reflect cost-of-living Determining how much changes. 2024 is one of to set aside for retirethose years. The new ment and in what types limits are: of savings vehicles is • $7,000 for those best determined through under age 50 careful planning. The • $8,000 for those start of a new year is a age 50 and older. great time to consider if you want to change Note that contributions or start contributions to can’t exceed 100% of these types of accounts.

FEBRUARY 21 , 2024

Discuss your retirement strategy with your financial advisor and consult with a tax professional on all tax-related matters.

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.

BARN RESTORATION Specializing in Barn & Pole Barn

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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.

Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2024 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Disaster Averted Syrup production continues. The flow of sap from the walnut trees has been sporadic for the past two weeks.

When both nighttime and daytime temperatures are above freezing, no sap flows. The same is true for below freezing temperatures.

If it is above freezing during the day and below freezing at night, most of the walnut trees produce sap like crazy.

By last Friday, I had every refrigerator spot available cooling the collected sap. I decided I would boil it all down as I was out of storage space and the temperatures were supposed to be above freezing all weekend.

I fired up the wood stove in the cabin and put eleven gallons of sap in the evaporator pan. According to my precise calculations, I should be able to obtain twenty-two ounces of walnut syrup from this run. I ran down to the cabin every two to three hours to add more wood to the stove, attempting to get the sap to a rapid boil. Billie, the poodle, went with me each time.

He ran around enjoying the pleasant winter days, chasing the geese off the cabin lawn and looking for rabbits.

Though he was greatly enjoying the process, this many trips and so much exploration was

beginning to make him look like a vagrant rather than the prim and proper house dog he is supposed to be.

Sunday morning, the eleven gallons was concentrated down to about one gallon. I decided to bring this to the house and finish it in the kitchen so I could watch it more closely as it neared the proper temperature and concentration. Closely watching syrup boil is not very exciting. It seemed to be taking forever to boil off the last amount. My wife decided to give Billie a shower and I agreed to dry him while I waited.

When she got done washing and drying the dog, I made a quick check on the sap before the dog and I headed for the garage with the hair dryer. I guessed it would be at least another hour before it was done.

In about fifteen minutes of blow drying and brushing, Billie again looked like a proper poodle rather than a ruffian rabbit hunter. I strolled into the kitchen to see the sap boiling almost to the top of the

large kettle. The temperature of the finished syrup was supposed to be 219 degrees. It had been increasing about a degree per hour so when I went to the garage and the thermometer read 217 degrees, I felt I had plenty of time.

The temperature read 245 degrees. I immediately turned the stove off and thought almost two weeks of messing with this had been ruined in a few minutes.

The best I could hope for was I had made walnut candy. More likely, I had burned the batch and would be throwing it all away.

I set the pot of syrup off the stove onto the counter to let it cool down so I could assess the damage. I tasted it when it cooled enough to not remove my taste buds. I was surprised it did not taste scorched or burned. Actually, it tasted great. I poured it into jars and found I had nineteen ounces which was fairly close to what I was expecting. Some of the syrup remained stuck to the bottom of the boiling pot. I scraped this off and placed in bite sized blobs on parchment paper.

The end result of over-boiling is syrup that is thicker than it is supposed to be but tastes fine. It has the consistency of honey.

The part I scraped off the bottom cooled to sweet hard candy. I think I was only seconds from ruining the whole batch, but I got lucky and have some great products from our walnut tapping.

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FEBRUARY 21 , 2024

Chicory Coffee Just the other day I was going through the cabinets in our kitchen and came across a can of chicory coffee that Melissa and I picked up on a trip to New Orleans. I was going to throw it away as the coffee was a few years old.

Melissa walked into the kitchen, “Look at this,” I said holding up the can.

two-and-a-half scoops of coffee into the filter; “Hoo, ahhh, chop, chop!

Take that, Ninja coffee maker. You think you’re The next morning, the some kind of extra tough can of chicory coffee was coffee maker, but you’ve sitting on the counter by never dealt with the likes the coffee maker. “I won- of chicory coffee yet.” The “Where did you find that,” der if this is any good?” I match was on. I made a she asked. “Is there anydecided to make a pot, the couple of impressive marthing in it?” worst that could happen tial arts moves that would is it would not taste good have intimidated Bruse “It was buried in the and I would pour the cofLee himself. cabinet,” I answered. “It’s fee down the drain. about two-thirds full, but I threw a barrage of I’m going to throw it away. I took a clean filter from lightning-fast karate chops It’s a few years old, I can’t the cabinet, placing it in toward the Ninja, “Ha! Ha! imagine it would still be the cone-shaped basket Oo, oo, ha, ha, yah!” Then good.” on the Ninja coffee maker. I took a couple of steps “What a ridiculous name away from the counter, I “I want to keep the can,” for a coffee machine,” took a fast spin on my left she said.

I said, although I must foot, winding up, I gave I set the orange tin can to admit, it does brew a a high side-kick with my good pot of coffee. Then I right leg, directly toward the side, I would toss the coffee and keep the deco- started making ninja war- the Ninja’s belly (the glass rative can for her. I contin- rior sounds as I poured pot,) “Hee-yaa!” Just as I fully extended my leg, delivering the blow just fractions of an inch from the pot, I felt something pop in my Pella Regional Health Center is pleased to welcome hip. “Ouch!

Olivia McCoy, MSN, APRN-C to the medical staff.

What was that,” I com“I believe in the importance of providing patients with plained. necessary education and resources that are available ued digging through the cabinets looking for the Italian Seasoning to make stuffed green peppers.

Welcome Olivia McCoy, MSN, ARNP-C

to encourage their desire for healthy behaviors and compliance,” said Olivia.

Olivia attended Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota earning her Masters of Science Nursing Studies and Family Nurse Practitioner degrees. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa. Olivia completed a post master’s certification in psychiatric mental health nursing from Walden University.

She has experience providing nursing care in the Behavioral Health Unit at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines and Walk-in care and Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry with Mahaska Health Partnership, Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Olivia was named one of Iowa’s 100 Great Nurses in 2019.

Olivia married her husband Justin in 2022. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, friends and grandchildren. Olivia will see patients in the Pella Regional Walk-In Clinic in Ottumwa.

ings on the breakfast bar: scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, pancakes…, it all looked so good, but I decided to wait to have breakfast with my wife. I filled my cup with coffee and looked around the room. With only a couple of other guests, there As the Ninja brewed the were plenty of open tables chicory coffee, the air was in the dining room. I chose filled with an aroma that a table with four chairs by caused me to reflect on a the window looking out day from the past: onto St. Ann Street. I got lost in thoughts about the The air was cool outside previous night, enjoying that morning. Not cold, the festive French Quarter, just pleasantly cool, on and especially the street a day that would eventubands. I love the Cajun ally turn hot and humid. sound.

There was a sweet but Despite sultry scent that is unique As I wandered off in the pain in to the French Quarter of thoughts, I was aware of a my hip, I New Orleans; a mixture young mother who came was clearly of fresh flowers and beer into the room with two victorious in spilled on the street by daughters. They had their the battle. I party-goers. Melissa and I plates and were working stripped the planned to go to Café Du to sit around a table for Ninja of its Monde, on Decatur Street, two. A third young girl with reservoir, for beignets and chicory long, pretty, brown hair, limped to coffee. walked into the room. With the sink, and a distinct look matching The chicory has a very filled the the other two little girls, strong, bold, flavor; I wantplastic conthey had to be sisters. ed a cup of regular coffee tainer with Sure enough, she came before we made our way six cups of over to join the other to the famous open-air water, then three. There were four of set it back in sidewalk café. So, while them crowding around a Melissa was getting ready, its cradle. table for two. The oldest I ran down to the hotel’s sister had a chair of her I folded my breakfast area for a cup of own, while the two younghands as if in coffee. prayer, and bowed to the I glanced over the offer(Just the Other Day on pg 5) Ninja: “Surely you know you have been defeated, my worthy opponent,” I spoke to the coffee maker.

I pushed the ‘brew’ and ‘rich’ buttons on the front of the Ninja, “Now you must serve me as your master.”

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(Just the Other Day cont’d from pg 4)

er sisters shared a chair.

Their mother stood at the side.

In my daydreaming, I failed to notice the room had filled with people, all the tables for four had been taken. “Where are my manners,” I said.

“Here, come take my table,” I offered the mom.

She gratefully accepted my offer. “You have three beautiful children.” I told her.

“Thank you,” the mom said. “I really like your shirt.”

ally like your shirt, too. My daughter, Delaney, gave me that exact same shirt for Christmas. As a matter of fact, I wore it just last night, but it looks much more stunning on a gentleman such as yourself.”

neither.” Another mom in the room stood up at the table where she was sitting with her husband and three daughters, “I wouldn’t either,” she said.

The room was again filled with laughter.

I love it. What a beautiful day it was to be in N’awlins.

I was in the French Quarter again. I rubbed my sore hip, “If I ever plan to I had forgotten I was walk Bourbon Street with The Ninja finished brewwearing a t-shirt my my wife, again, I’m going ing, so I looked though the to have to stop fighting daughter Sydney bought cabinet for a short, offfor me. The shirt read: with that coffee machine white cup with green let“You can’t scare me, I before I permanently inters: ‘Café du Monde.’ Not jure myself.” have three daughters.”

Trying to fit in with the finding it, I questioned, “I We had a good laugh over The gentleman blushed, and laughed, “I don’t know crowd, I stood mimickwonder what we did with As I finished my cup of that. ‘bout that.” ing their sweet southern the cups and saucers we chicory coffee, I thought As we were sharing a drawls, “Now if y’all will brought home as souveabout our three girls, We were all sharing anlaugh, an elderly gentlekindly excuse me, I’m nirs?”

Sydney, Delaney, and other good laugh, when man with a strong southgoing to take this cup of Annie Jo, and how much ern drawl, said, “I appreci- a guy about 30, spoke up coffee to my bride, back in Instead, I took Melissa’s fun I’d had that morning in from yet another table. “If our room upstairs.” We ex- short, dark-brown potate your shirt too, young the hotel breakfast dining man.” I thanked him for his you really like it, I’ll trade changed some farewells. tery mug and filled it with room in the south. Then, I you my shirt for yours.” I the southern brew. The nice words. returned to the kitchen. turned to look at him, he As a took about two steps chicory coffee smelled just The southern gentleman was wearing the same away, there was a slight as good as ever. I sipped I refilled the little brown went on to say, “I have burgundy colored plaid tugging on my t-shirt; was from the cup and was cup and put the pot back three daughters myself. shirt as the elderly gentle- someone trying to steal surprised, it tasted just on the warming plate. I They’re all grown and on man. He pointed to his the shirt off my back? I as good and fresh; rich, splashed a little of my their own now. I ‘spect family at the table, “I have turned around, looking and bold, as I remember beverage on the floor as they be about your age three daughters too, and down, the oldest of the – it was slightly bitter, but I delivered a few more now.” He pointed toward I just love that shirt you’re three little girls, probably chicory coffee is always quick karate chops to the the three little girls now wearing.” about seven or eight, a little bitter. “I wish I had coffee machine. “Oo, ah, sitting at the table, “But looked up at me saying, a couple Café du Monde chop!” I smiled. Bruce Lee Now the whole room when they was young, “Thank you for giving us beignets to go with this,” would have been proud. like these little ladies, they was sharing in the laugh- your table, sir.”

I said. I took my cup of “Let that be a reminder to ter. I announced, “Sorry was full over with misbrew outside to our deck. you, Ninja boy; You can’t folks, I wouldn’t trade this I bowed her way and prechief.” His eyes twinkled scare me, I have three as he reminisced, “Those shirt, nor any of my three tended to tip my hat to the The air was much colder daughters.” young lady, “You’re cerat home in Minnesota, girls gave their mama fits, daughters, for anything tainly welcome, Ma’am.” than it was when Melissa and their mama gave me in the world.” The elderly gentleman, the guy in his Then wished her a nice and I were in New Orfits because of it.” We all thirties, and the young day.

Southern hospitalleans. Still, the aroma of shared a good laugh. mom, all replied in unison, ity, and the manners of steam coming from the Then I told him, “Well I re- at the same time, “Me a young southern belle. chicory, made me feel like

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FEBRUARY 21 , 2024