Siouxland Life - Fall 2019

Collecting coins could be profitable

How to stay on a remodel budget

Those second jobs that fuel a passion

A GUIDE FOR LIVING IN SIOUXLAND

MAKING

MONEY

IOWA TEEN COOKS UP A WINNER

THE MONEY EDITION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

FALL 2019

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FALL 2019

SIOUXLAND LIFE

CONTENTS Fall

2019

How do you make money? Save money? Spend money? In this issue, we talk with Siouxlanders who have jobs that fuel their dreams, ignite a passion and spark a future. We also visit with folks who can help turn their earnings into savings and how they can spend their money wisely. It’s the Money Edition and it’s here to help you become wiser stewards of those hard-earned dollars.

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A LASTING LESSON College students get a special class in dealing with life – and those financial issues that’ll face them in the “real” world.

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ON THE COVER A regular vendor at the Le Mars Farmers Market, Jada Tirre began Filled With Love as a way to promote her homemade baked goods. Here, she piped frosting on a cake that is filled with mini pieces of candy. Photograph by Tim Hynds.

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HOME staging for effect HOME save on remodeling MONEY coin-u-copia MONEY a primer MONEY life lessons MONEY funding a dream MONEY a new life

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ARTISTIC DREAMS Musicians bankroll their passion with jobs that provide them with essentials – like food, shelter and insurance.

MONEY paying differently MONEY scams to watch MONEY baking a winner MONEY retirement mistakes HEALTH medical answers PARTING SHOT wisdom teeth

PUBLISHER Chad Pauling EDITOR Bruce Miller EDITORIAL Dolly Butz, Earl Horlyk, Mason Dockter, Cole Paxton ADVERTISING SALES Chad Pauling PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Hynds, Justin Wan DESIGN April Burford

©2019 The Sioux City Journal. Siouxland Life is published quarterly by The Sioux City Journal.

For advertising information, please call (712) 293-4317. For editorial information, please call (712) 293-4218.

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READY TO VENMO? A younger generation latches on to an ideal way to split tabs, pay bills and stay abreast with money spent for everything from transportation to dining.

SIOUXLAND LIFE

FALL 2019

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HOME

staging for maximum effect

FINISHING

TOUCHES Interior designer polishes home on Sioux City’s north side

Interior designer Amy Macfarlane, who is pictured in a north side home she worked on in Sioux City, breathes life into home spaces.

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Interior designer Amy Macfarlane added the blue-green wall covering to the kitchen in this home on Sioux City’s north side. She said wall coverings are trending, but expensive.

Text by Dolly A. Butz | Photographs by Justin Wan

NEARLY FOUR YEARS AGO, the new owners of a mid-century modern home on Sioux City’s north side began the restoration and remodeling process, which touched every room.

The couple, who appreciate good design and quality pieces, reached out to Amy Macfarlane, owner of Lifestyles Interior Design, to give their home that “one-of-a-kind feel” they were hoping for.

“I chose the pieces and color scheme for our home and we were pleased with the results, however, I knew I needed true professional assistance to finish and polish our home,” one of the homeowners said, while standing on a circular, blue-green rug by her kitchen table as light poured through sliding glass doors.

Going in, Macfarlane said she felt like she already knew the home, because she just so happens to live in a house that was also built by Sioux City Foundry.

One of Sioux City’s oldest businesses, Sioux City Foundry is owned by the Galinsky family.

“She said, ‘I want you to make everything look completed,’” Macfarlane recalled one of the homeowners saying.

This wall covering, which adds texture as well as color to the dining room of a home on Sioux City’s north side, serves as the perfect backdrop for an abstract painting by artist Ann Royer.

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Yvette, an 8-month-old Tibetan Terrier, sits on the bed in the master bedroom in this home on Sioux City’s north side.

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SIOUXLAND LIFE

“I breathe new life into home spaces.

That’s basically what we did.”

Macfarlane found a woven, bamboo wall covering with shades of blue and green that tied in two blue-green rugs that the homeowners already had. Placing it on a wall by the kitchen table, she said, defined the eating area and pulled in the kitchen.

“Greens are really trending right now,” Macfarlane said. “She had these rugs that look great, but there was nothing that they attached to. It’s about just giving it that designer detail. It’s a lot of re-accessorizing.”

ADD A POP OF COLOR Macfarlane introduced the homeowners to local artists Frank Salazar and Rick Baker. They loved their sculptures and paintings so much, they ended up purchasing roughly 30 artworks, which are scattered throughout the home.

Some of the paintings were customized to match the neutral walls, according to Macfarlane.

“They came in and they created art for every space that I needed it, which was pretty amazing,” one of the homeowners said.

Interior designer Amy Macfarlane said every room in a home should have something that’s “unexpected.”

A long, vertical abstract painting by Salazar, has hints of green that draw the eye from the living area to the dining room, where a vessel by Baker rests on the table.

“Every room should have something that you look at it, and your thought is, ‘That’s really unexpected,’” Macfarlane said. “You want something unexpected.”

Other green accent pieces in the living room include an existing vase and pear trim that Macfarlane had sewn on one of the homeowners’ neutral pillows. These hints of color stand out among the neutral furnishings.

“In my opinion, you want the eye to always continue roaming and to have this cohesiveness. It’s nice when you have a common color throughout the house,” said Macfarlane, who said you can use various shades of a color in a room, rather than repeating the exact same one.

A dining room wall was gray, before Macfarlane placed a green manila hemp wall covering on it. The wall covering, which adds texture, as well as color to the space, serves as the perfect backdrop for an abstract painting by artist Ann Royer, a Sioux City native.

A vessel by local artist Rick Baker is shown in the dining room of this home on Sioux City’s north side.

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Interior designer Amy Macfarlane said every room in a home should have something that’s “unexpected.” Here, the living room of a home she designed on Sioux City’s north side.

A mantle and adjacent wall at the north side home host a framed photograph of late actress Jean Harlow and a collection of antique slot machines.

“Texture is equally as important as color,” she said. “You don’t have to spend a lot to get big impact.”

SNAP A PHOTO Macfarlane suggests taking a picture of a room in your home. She said it will allow you to see the space as someone who comes into your home would. She said you’ll notice things that you otherwise wouldn’t.

She said one of the biggest mistakes people make is buying furniture that is either too big or too small for a room.

The homeowners had an Asian garden stool plopped between two chairs.

Macfarlane moved it into a corner of the room by an end table and a plant.

“It just made the blue and the green with that plant come alive,” Macfarlane said. “You don’t have to get rid of stuff.

It’s really easy, sometimes, to take something that you really don’t like and then you like it, because you make it work in the room.”

The homeowners knew something wasn’t working in the home’s entryway.

Macfarlane said painting a white wall gray made all the difference.

“It’s really easy to freshen something up,” she said.

FRAME IT In the basement entertainment room, the homeowners selected a pool table with aqua blue cloth, which is the same 10

FALL 2019

SIOUXLAND LIFE

FALL 2019

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color as their adjacent indoor pool.

Macfarlane came across a wall covering in a magazine with similar blues and a vertical linear pattern that reminded her of pool sticks. Instead of covering an entire wall behind the pool table with the paper, she decided to frame a large piece instead.

“This was a big investment. Wall coverings are back, but they’re ridiculously expensive,” she said. “I said, ‘Let’s just make it look like a mural and frame it.’

So that’s what we did.”

Macfarlane used fabric that coordi-

The aqua blue in the home’s indoor pool is repeated in the chair cushions.

Interior designer Amy Macfarlane adjusts chairs near an indoor pool.

An entertainment room in a north side Sioux City home is shown. The aqua blue pool table inspired the room’s interior design.

nates with the wall covering to have custom pillows made for a blue gray sectional on the other side of the large room. Instead of placing the sectional flat against the wall, Macfarlane pulled it out and requested that a glass shelf, which lights up, be placed behind it. The devil’s in the details.

“When she picked that particular blue, that just raised the level and it just all fell into place,” Macfarlane said of one of the homeowners.

The homeowner interjected, “It didn’t just fall into place. You made it work.”

Interior designer Amy Macfarlane found this wall covering in a magazine. Instead of covering the entire wall with it, she decided to frame it like a mural.

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HOME

save on remodeling

Breezy Struthers Drake talks about a Cambria Luxury Series quartz countertop at Modern Kitchen Design in Sioux City.

REMODEL

SAVINGS

b

Sioux City designer gives tips for staying on budget with a kitchen remodel Text by Dolly A. Butz | Photographs by Justin Wan

BREEZY STRUTHERS DRAKE COMPARES kitchens, one of the biggest ticket items in the home, to shopping for a car.

You can be more frugal and purchase a basic Ford sedan or break the bank with a luxury car, like an Audi or Mercedes.

“For just cabinetry, it’s anywhere from $8,000 to ... ,” the designer at Modern Kitchen Design, 514 Iowa St., said trailing off. “I just did a job where we did $60,000 in cabinets.”

Struthers Drake recalled a client who

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thought she could get a complete gut, cabinets, countertops and appliances all for $10,000. Although one can certainly shop around, Struthers Drake said getting everything for that amount of money is going to be almost impossible.

On the other hand, she said customers have been pleasantly surprised when kitchen remodel estimates come in under the $50,000 they budgeted.

“It’s all about knowing what you like and then being open to shifting the end

SIOUXLAND LIFE

result a little bit. Give a little here, so you can take a little there,” said Struthers Drake, who recommends getting a layout and cabinet costs first and then start appliance shopping. “That’s going to give you a good idea (of your budget).”

Struthers Drake said there are different tiers of cabinets. White cabinetry has been popular for quite some time, she said natural woods and gray stains are trending. She said a client who liked the look of walnut, saved money by opting to

Breezy Struthers Drake shows off a laminate countertop from Dolce Vita at Modern Kitchen Design in Sioux City.

go with a brown cherry.

“You’ll still get the overall feel of it, it’s just not going to be the depth of that wood,” she said.

She said reducing the heights of your cabinets, going with simple moldings and ditching some amenities will help you stay on budget, but she encourages keeping basics, like a roll-out waste basket unit.

“Maybe you don’t have quit as many roll-outs or pull-out pantries or things like that,” she said.

Could refinishing existing cabinets lessen the cost of a kitchen remodel?

Struthers Drake said it depends on whether the interior parts of the cabinets are fully functional and if you keep cabinet doors and drawers.

“If you have to replace your doors and drawer fronts, you might as well get the whole box. If you’re just going to paint existing, then it could, possibly,” said Struthers Drake, who noted that paint is more expensive than it used to be.

For countertops, Struthers Drake said quartz is on trend. She pointed out a Cambria Luxury Series quartz counter top with a neutral white background and gray veins, as an example of what’s hot. She said you can get the stone and

concrete look for much less with an “absolutely gorgeous” laminate that replicates it. She said even selecting an entry level or mid-range granite will be cheaper than quartz, which means you can then take the money you budgeted for the counter and redirect it to cabinets or lighting, for example.

“Ask, ‘Where does this fall in price point?’” Struthers Drake said. “If you fall in love with something, then we can try to budget around that. The main cost is going to be your cabinetry and your flooring, depending on if you’re doing the entire house.”

When it comes to flooring, vinyls that look like wood, cost must less than the real thing. Struthers Drake also pointed out that luxury vinyl plank flooring is water-resistant, while wood flooring is prone to having expansion and contraction issues.

“It’s a lower price point per square foot; and your installation’s less,” she said of luxury vinyl.

“Like laminates, they’ve come so far. It gives you the option of a wood look at a very reasonable price point.”

Breezy Struthers Drake talks about various types of Cambria quartz countertops.

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FALL 2019

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FALL 2019

SIOUXLAND LIFE

MONEY

coin-u-copia

Owner John Jackson displays a pair of national bank notes issued by two Sioux City banks.

COLLECTING

t

M NEY

In coin and banknote collecting, price is a function of rarity and condition

THROUGHOUT THE 19TH CENTURY and somewhat into the 20th century, before the federal government took full control of printing money, it was common practice for banks to produce their own banknotes.

Like their counterparts elsewhere, Sioux City banks of the era were known to print their own notes, personally signed by bank officers. They could be

Text by Mason Dockter | Photographs by Tim Hynds

redeemed at the bank or passed around as currency.

John Jackson, the proprietor of J&J Coins and Collectibles, 901 S. Cecelia St., said Sioux City at one time had as many as 15 national banks, all of which would’ve been able to print their own bills.

“There’s only about eight of them that there’s any notes known, give or take,”

said Jackson, who’s been in the rare currency trade for about 33 years. While there are “lots of” examples of some Sioux City banknotes floating around, a few banks are believed to have issued notes of which none exist.

Were a previously unknown Sioux City or South Sioux City banknote to surface, Jackson said the price could be astronomical.

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“There’s a lot of notes that they’ve never found one — South Sioux City, Nebraska, produced a national banknote and there’s never been one found,” he said. More common Sioux City banknotes could fetch prices between $50 to $300; they’re popular with some collectors, including Jackson.

The price depends largely on the rarity of the note — some banks were open longer than others, and a good many notes were redeemed at the bank for their value. Others likely wore out through circulation and were destroyed.

DON’T WRECK YOUR COINS Many a well-meaning metal detector enthusiast has taken aggressive measures to clean the old coins they unearth — including harsh scrubbing and abrasives like sandpaper.

The coin may come out as bright and shiny as the day it was new, but its value can be destroyed in the process.

Whatever the condition of the coin, it’s probably better to consult with a local coin collectors’ or numismatic group or experts before doing anything that can’t be reversed. Sioux City’s coin group meets monthly at the First United Methodist Church, 1915 Nebraska St. “A lot of coins are damaged by cleaning, that’s one of the first things we tell CARPET

Silver dollars, including an 1880 one struck at the mint in Carson City, Nevada, can be very collectible.

people is, before you do anything with a coin, no matter how you find it, have somebody look it that can tell you what you can do to not damage it,” Jackson said.

There’s other reasons to consult with the coin club — for example, when considering a purchase of a coin or a set of coins.

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RARITY AND CONDITION The value of a coin or banknote is a function of its rarity and condition. A particular coin or a bill of which few were issued could be valuable, and the same is true of a coin or a note in unusually pristine condition.

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SIOUXLAND LIFE

rare in new condition,” Jackson said.

“They were well-circulated, so they just didn’t survive in new condition. So it can be a coin that’s worth 50 cents, a circulated, worn coin, but in brand-new condition it can be worth thousands of dollars.”

Determining the rarity or condition of a coin is a job for the experts. But there are certain coins that are almost always worth setting aside if you find them in your pocket change.

A common example would be silver dimes and quarters. Before 1965, all U.S. dimes and quarters were made of coin silver, an alloy which is nominally about 90 percent silver.

“They all have value more than face value,” Jackson said. “Right now, silver coins, just the most common silver coin might be 10 times face value” — or about $1 for a silver dime, and $2.50 for a silver quarter. The price only goes up from there.

An easy way to tell is to look at the rim of the coin — silver coins have a silver rim, while modern copper-clad dimes and quarters have a copper rim.

Silver coins also make a different noise than modern coins if they’re dropped on a table or other surface.

Or look at the year: any dime or quarter that’s dated 1964 or earlier is silver.

A $10 national bank note from Security National Bank in Sioux City.

A 1799 draped bust silver dollar.

SIOUXLAND COIN CLUB The Siouxland Coin Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at First United Methodist Church, 1915 Nebraska St., at 7 p.m.

COIN COLLECTORS OF SIOUX CITY Jackson estimated there are perhaps 50 to 100 active coin collectors in Sioux City, some of whom are very serious about the hobby and aggressive in their pursuit of rare coins. Some focus on a

certain sort of coin, or on trade tokens, which were commonly issued by businesses a century ago.

“Sometimes people are very specific.

We have a lot of people that only collect one certain type of coin. Maybe Indian head pennies, or Morgan silver dollars,” he said. “And then you have collectors that really collect a very wide range of items.”

An interest in coins is something that generally begins in youth for one reason or another.

“As a kid, I kind of started with stamp collecting a little bit, and then got into coins, and it’s basically a hobby that got out of control,” he said with a laugh.

“Most kids usually start (coin collecting) from, 8 to 13. We get a lot of different kids involved in the hobby.”

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MONEY

a primer

r PRIMER Mary Sterk runs through terms you should know at her Dakota Dunes office.

A FINANCIAL Mary Sterk defines the terms

Text by Mason Dockter | Photographs by Tim Hynds

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RARE BE THE RISK-FREE, PROFITABLE place to park your money.

But there are strategies to keep your money as safe as possible and still get something of a return on it. To do any of that, you’ll need to know some financial terms and concepts.

Mary Sterk, a certified financial planner and the proprietor of Sterk Financial Services in Dakota Dunes, recently sat down with the Journal and defined a few oft-used financial words.

401(K) “A 401(k) allows you to take some of your wages and, instead of getting them now, deferring them into the plan, so you utilize it later. So the money you put in is called a deferral, and if you’re lucky, your employer will also do some type

of match. And that match is my favorite kind of money because it’s free money.”

Are 401(k)s subject to taxes?: “It’s possible that there could be taxes on it in either direction, because there are two types of ways you can put money in it. You can put money in the traditional side, where you get the tax break now, no taxes now, and when it comes out later it will have taxes due.

And then you can put money in the Roth side of it, where you pay the taxes now on the amount you put in, but when it comes out later, there’s no tax.”

Which of those is preferable?: “It totally depends on your age, and your own situation. So if you’re in a really high tax bracket now, and you think you might be in a lower tax bracket later in retirement, it might make more sense to get the tax break now. But the younger you are, the more likely that money has a chance to grow over time, and come out as something significantly larger in the future, so it’d be nicer to have no taxes on the larger amount. We like to say, think of it like a farmer. Do you want to pay tax on the seed or on the harvest?”

How do 401(k) funds grow?: “Most 401(k) plans have a group of investments, some are going to be stock-related and some are likely to be bond-related, and sometimes they have a fixed account, or a stable value fund, depends on the plan, and that’s something that you can’t lose money in. And people get to decide how they want to invest their money.”

Is it possible to lose value in a stockheavy 401(k)?: “Absolutely. And it is in the bond side, too. Stocks and bonds can lose money, but stocks tend to carry more risk than bonds do.”

But in general, 401(k)s are managed in such a way that it’s really unlikely you’ll ever lose money, right?: “That would be completely false. You can never think of anything in terms of a stock investment as a safe investment. Those two words don’t go together. There’s always going to be risk with any stock that you could lose everything if it’s a single stock. Now most investments in a 401(k) are mutual funds, and that means they’re a grouping of a lot of different stocks, so one company going bankrupt might not make that big of a difference, because the other stocks in your fund might still be fine.”

IRA “Basically an IRA is an individual retirement account, so the 401(k) we were just talking about is a group retirement plan, so 401(k)s are only connected

to businesses or employers. IRAs are connected to individuals. It sort of works the same way: A traditional IRA, you get the tax break now but you pay tax in the future, the Roth IRA, you pay taxes now, and if you follow all the right rules, it’ll be tax-free in the future.”

Why would someone choose an IRA versus a 401(k)? Are IRAs for rich people?: “Most of the time people do an IRA if they don’t have access to a 401(k), because not all employers offer one, or maybe somebody is self-employed. And IRAs actually have limits, so if your income is above a certain amount and you have access to a 401(k), then you might not even be able to put money in an IRA.” And in an IRA, nobody matches your contributions, right?: “Right. No free money there.”

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT “A CD is an instrument generally done through a bank. And a Certificate of Deposit basically means you deposit money into this investment, and those generally give you what’s called a fixed rate of return. And a fixed rate of return is, you know when you start, what the return is going to be.

And the longer that your time period is in a CD, the higher the rate of return is likely to be.”

Are CDs mostly risk-free?: “CDs are generally covered by the FDIC guarantee, and the FDIC guarantee has a certain amount of protection per person or per entity. So, while people frequently think that they are risk-free,

the risk would be more if you have too much money in one bank and you’re over the FDIC limit. If that bank would have financial issues and go under, anything over the FDIC limit might be at risk.”

ANNUITY “An annuity, in its most basic form, is a pool of money that is set up to provide you a lifetime income stream, or a lifetime period of payments, that will either go for a lifetime or go for a certain amount of time.”

Who issues annuities?: “They’re primarily issued by an insurance company.”

Where do people get annuities? Are they basically life insurance payouts?: “That’s one type of them. But more often, they’re used in retirement planning, where somebody would take a chunk of money, it could be an IRA or an old 401(k) or maybe just cash that they had, and they might buy an annuity. And the annuity then can either be used flexibly, like they can just take money from it when they want to, or they can annuitize it, which means they’ve said, ‘I want this payment for a certain amount of time, or for a lifetime.’ Now, there’s pros and cons to the annuitization part of it, because once you make that choice you cannot ever undo it. So annuitizing something may or may not be the right thing for somebody. But not all annuities make you annuitize to get your money.”

ALPHA AND BETA “Alpha is more like the capture of potential return, and beta is the level of risk. So let’s just talk about beta. A beta of 1.0 means it’s as risky as the market. If your beta is 1.3, it means that that particular investment is actually inherently more risky than the market. And if the beta is 0.4, it’s inherently less risky than the market.”

BOND “A bond is considered a debt instrument, so if you buy a bond from a company, that company now owes you money. So a bond typically is something that has what’s called a duration, meaning a length of time, that they’re going to pay you some type of interest... Now, the Please see PRIMER, Page 43

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hether you want to remodel your current kitchen space or design a new kitchen from scratch, Creative Cabinetry’s expertise will make your experience enjoyable and rewarding. From concept to completion, Creative Cabinetry’s attention to detail, function, quality and beauty ensures a kitchen you will love for many years.

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or many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is usually the first place everyone gathers. Small children will play there while parents are cleaning up and planning menus. Older children will do their homework and converse with the family as an evening’s meal is prepared, If you love to entertain, the kitchen is where your party goers will spend most of their time, too.

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he kitchen often makes up a large focus of a home’s interior design, central to the traffic and living flow. It is often one of the major areas of the house that people consider when purchasing a new home. The right design, layout, cabinetry, countertops, colors and hardware all have an impact on how you use and enjoy your kitchen.

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amie Lindemann, AKBD designer at Creative Cabinetry in South Sioux City, is know for working close with families and understanding their needs. She can show you how to put the kitchen and associated areas together to create that perfect environment. Jamie will explore all the areas of the kitchen and it’s layout to create a room you’ll be proud to call home.

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ontact Jamie today, at 402-494-5411 and visit Creative Cabinetry’s website at www.creative-cabinetry.com This article was provided by Creative Cabinetry.

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MONEY

life lessons

CLASS AND CASH Morningside seeks innovative ways to teach about finances, budgeting and debt

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Text and photographs by Cole Paxton

FOR SOME MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE students, the fun of a board game takes a treacherous turn when the cards mimic possible life challenges: a broken leg, some unexpected debt and so on.

The goal isn’t to scare them about what lies after graduation. Rather, it’s an avenue for some outside-the-classroom learning about how to budget when living expenses aren’t all rolled in together, monthly payments on student loan debt are required and you can’t beg friends for extra meal swipes if you run short.

College officials came up with the modified, scholastic game — which they dub “The Game of Life after college” — last year to complement existing financial literacy programming and show students that budgeting can be more complicated it might seem on the surface.

“The reason why I really like that program is it provides financial literacy in a way that is fun for students but that they

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FALL 2019

can also understand. It gives a realistic sort of component to it,” said Stacie Hays, the school’s associate vice president for career services and professional development. “The difficult part (of budgeting) is when life happens. ... How are you going to manage those things?”

Hays said students have shown stress about finances all 14 years she has worked at Morningside — budgeting is, of course, as old as money. But student debt has skyrocketed in recent years, from $240 billion in 2013 to $1.46 trillion in 2018, according to the New York Federal Reserve, sparking more conversations and more angst about finances for students both while they’re in school and after they graduate. Further, student debt is as widespread as it is burdensome: Nearly 45 million Americans carry it, and there was more total student loan debt in 2018 than credit card or auto loan debts.

That prevalence is evident at the local

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level: “Student debt probably is what comes up the most” in conversations with students, Hays said. “When I first started here, students were less stressed about student debt because maybe they didn’t think about it as much as now.”

The career services office isn’t full of financial experts, Hays said, but her department offers budgeting services because students ask about it during jobsearch conversations — and it might fall

Morningside College director of financial planning Karen Gagnon reviews information about student finances in her office.

through the cracks otherwise. The office puts on multiple group financial literacy sessions each semester, on topics from general budgeting to credit cards, though attendance is often bolstered with students required to attend or those who can earn extra credit for participating.

Often, students don’t think about long-term financial considerations until long-term becomes perilously close, said Karen Gagnon, the school’s director of financial planning. That’s the type of concern the Game of Life is meant to alleviate.

Still, conversations about finances start long before discussions about careers, and officials say they’re designed to minimize future financial burdens. Gagnon pushes students to consider every possible non-loan funding mechanism, from on-campus work — the school’s annual student payroll budget now tops $1 million — to scholarships for wearing duct-tape attire to prom. Even as total debt has risen, the internet age allows students to find many niche opportunities more easily.

“Every student should be concerned about loan debt,” Gagnon said. “Our goal is to help every student one, don’t take out a loan unless you absolutely need it.

All the pre-work that we do is, ‘Do everything you possibly can do before that.’”

Stacie Hays, associate vice president for career services and professional development, oversees much of Morningside College’s programming for student financial planning.

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MONEY

funding a dream

Ultra Violet Fever member Shawn Blomberg said the flexibility of working as a massage therapist allows him to accept out-of-town musical gigs.

BEHIND THE MUSIC Musicians share how they live their artistic lives (*SPOILER: Having a side gig won’t hurt)

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Text by Earl Horlyk | Photographs by Tim Hynds, Earl Horlyk and Justin Wan

WHEN MUSICIANS SHAWN BLOMBERG and Angela Lambrecht hit the festival circuit in Florida later this year, the couple will be loading up their RV with guitars, drums, harmonicas and all of the percussion instruments they’ll need to perform a unique and bluesy form of Americana soul.

Blomberg and Lambrecht, both founders of the Sioux City-based group Ultra Violet Fever, also plan to bring along Zephyr, the group’s pet dog and designated “P.R. manager.”

In addition, they plan on taking boxes of their self-designed clothing, art pieces and one-of-a-kind jewelry to sell.

And if there’s room, Blomberg, who is also a licensed massage therapist, might 26

FALL 2019

bring his massage table for their southeast tour.

“When you’re trying to make a living as a musician, you end up wearing many hats,” Lambrecht, who is engaged to Blomberg, explained. “In addition to being a performer, you become a driver, a roadie and a marketer of merchandise as well.”

Actually, Blomberg can add one more skill set to his CV. The Sioux City native was also the engineer for Ultra Violet Fever’s recently-released EP, “Epimedium Sagittatum.”

“You are always trying to expand your fan base and exposing your music for new audiences,” he said. “You do that by networking with other musicians and

SIOUXLAND LIFE

hitting the road as much as you can.”

ON THE ROAD AGAIN This is something that is possible for Lambrecht, who teaches private music as a side gig, and Blomberg, who set his own schedule as a massage therapist for Sioux City’s Massage and Body.

“If we have to, Angie and I can go on the road for a few months at a time,” Blomberg said.

However, this isn’t possible for their Ultra Violet Fever bandmates Adrian Kolbo, a business development manager, or Randall Wood, a UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital emergency room doctor.

“Adrian and Randall have schedules that aren’t quite so flexible,” Lambrecht

admitted. “When they want to play they have to take vacation time.”

According to Blomberg, music was their sole passion when growing up.

SCHOOL OF ROCK “The first musical instrument I played was the tenor saxophone in the fifth grade,” Blomberg said, smiling at the memory. “It wasn’t until I was 14 years old that I learned to play guitar and it was Adrian who taught me.”

So, why did Blomberg make the switch to guitar?

“Girls like guitar players more than they do sax players,” he answered nonchalantly.

Eventually, Blomberg became proficient in playing bass, piano and ukelele in addition to guitar and sax. He eventually teamed with Kolbo, who plays bass and guitar for gigs in both Sioux City and Seattle, Washington.

“Yeah, I guess my music was somewhat inspired by grunge,” Blomberg said of his west coast experience. “But I was also influenced by musicians (as diverse as) John Prine, Carole King and, even Lynyrd Synyrd.”

Blomberg may have gotten a better appreciation of the world of jazz, via his friend Wood.

MEDICINE MAN Unlike Blomberg or Kolbo, Wood didn’t really play music until he was in mid-20s.

Although a master at the keyboard, he can’t read music.

“I generally play what I feel,” Wood, who cites jazz legends like Thelonious Monk and John Lee Hooker as influences, explained. “(Randall) had that kind of mind,” Wood’s wife Christi said. “I think his musical ability is based on science.”

Wood agrees, saying his music is similar to the work he does in an emergency room.

“When you’re pulling an overnight shift in an emergency room, there is no set rules and everything’s improvisation,” he said. “When I’m on stage, it is the exact same thing.”

PIECE OF MY HEART This is very difference than Lambrecht, who came from a musical family.

“I remember singing and dressing up like Dolly Parton at age 6,” she said, chuckling a the memory. “I’ve never had a problem being in the spotlight.”

Plus Lambrecht had a knack of getting noticed.

Already a well-liked Sioux City musician, she was playing a Vangarde Arts

A musician since childhood, Angela Lambrecht provides private lessons when she isn’t performing as a member of the Sioux City-based Ultra Violet Fever alternative music group.

If you’re in need of medical attention in the middle of the night, you’ll probably see Randall Wood, an emergency room doctor at UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s. If you’re a fan of alternative music, you’ll also recognize Wood as keyboardist for the popular band Ultra Violet Fever.

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27

show with her friend Velvet Adams in 2015.

“Angie and Velvet were playing on the same night that I was doing a set with Adrian,” Blomberg said. “They did a cover of a Sublime song and we decided to do another Sublime song.”

Blomberg and Lambrecht formed Ultra Violent Fever the very next year.

“Our relationship is built upon our mutual love of Sublime music,” Lambrecht noted with a grin.

Well, we suspect what brings Ultra Violet Fever together is a love of all music.

YOU SEE YOUR GYPSY “When I was in college, I studied music and, now, I teach music,” Lambrecht said. “It’s what I’m supposed to be doing. When I’m not doing music, I’m not in my happy place.”

“To me, music is therapy,” Wood said.

“When I’m connecting with an audience or with other musician, all of the problems seem so far away.”

Indeed, Blomberg sees his music as being as healing as his day job as a massage therapist.

“Music is a relief and a release,” he explained. “It can make your pain go away.”

MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING But is a musical life truly sustainable?

For Wood, playing in Ultra Violet Fever is something he does for fun. In the case of Blomberg and Lambrecht, music is meaningful in more ways than one.

“Angie and I are both indie musicians and there has never been a better time to be an indie musician,” Blomberg said.

“We can record our own music without the aid of a record label. Plus we can stay in contact with our fans via social networking.”

JUKEBOX HERO Plus it helps that he and Lambrecht can take off at a moment’s notice.

“We love the gypsy lifestyle,” Blomberg said. “We’re blessed because we’ve been given the freedom and inspiration to create our art.”

“Our ultimate goal is make a living through our music,” Lambrecht said.

“When you grow up, people tell you that an artistic life isn’t possible and that gets beaten in your head.”

“Right now, I feel like I’m heading for success and that’s a very good feeling,” she continued. “The world is a better place with music and I want to make the world a better place with my music.”

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SIOUXLAND LIFE

By night, Devour Once Dead’s Vince Conway thrashes with his death metal band. But during daytime hours, he is a mild-mannered, lab coat-wearing,team leader at Sioux City’s Pech Optical Corp.

FROM LENS MAKER TO DEATH METAL MANIAC AND BACK AGAIN Even though Kaysha Conway has been married to Vince Conway since June and has been his friend for more than 18 years, she’s still surprised when people stop her husband in the street.

“Complete strangers will stop, wave and say hey, you’re Vince from Devour Once Dead,” Kaysha said with a shrug.

“Guess you didn’t know you married a celebrity,” Vince Conway answered with a smile.

Indeed, Devour Once Dead, which is made up of Conway on lead vocals, Chris Dolphin and Cody Schipp on guitar, Jason Verbeski on bass and Nick Goodwin on drums, has acquired an dedicated following over the past decade.

Best known for its over-the-top theatrics and for singing such songs as “Blood Party,” “Feticide” and “Tenderize your Tender Eyes,” Devour Once Dead is hard to ignore.

But, off stage, Conway is an unassuming husband, dad and, for the past 19 years, employee at Sioux City’s Pech Optical Corp.

So, what do you do at Pech Optical?

“I’m a team leader responsible for putting protective lens on sunglasses.”

That sounds pretty tame compared to your career as a musician, don’t you think?

“Well, having a steady day job allows me to play music. I’ve been playing in bands since I was a teenager. It’s a part of my life that I still love.”

I’ve notice that your bandmates also have conventional jobs.

“Cody is a dispatcher for a business, Chris and Nick are both professional chefs and Jason is a bartender. Music’s our passion but not our sole occupations.”

Was it ever your dream to make a living as a musician?

“It’s always something that is in the back of your head. Sure, I’d love to be a rock star. But I’m 40 years old. I’m afraid that ship has passed.”

Bet being in a death metal band is different now than it was when you were younger, right?

“It takes longer to recover from out-of-town gigs, if that’s what you mean. You’re always dragging a bit after a show.”

What do your Pech Optical colleagues think about working along side Vince from Devour Once Dead?

“I hope they like it. I know they’re used to it. I think I spend more time with them than I do with my band.”

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FALL 2019

29

MONEY

a new life

DENTIST DREAM Rock Valley man, working 65 hours a week, wants to be a cosmetic dentist

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Text by Mason Dockter Photographs by Tim Hynds

Dental assistant Leonardo “Leo” Marquez works with dentist Dr. Amber Meyer as she examines the teeth of patient Javier Cardenas Graeta at Rock Valley Dental in Rock Valley, Iowa. Marquez immigrated from Mexico 10 years ago and currently works 65 hours a week between jobs at the dental practice and a local factory. He hopes to get into dental school and become a cosmetic dentist.

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SIOUXLAND LIFE

COSMETIC DENTISTRY IS, BY HIS own account, the first thing Leonardo “Leo” Marquez thinks of in the morning.

It’s also the last thing he thinks about before bed.

That keeps him going while he works 65 hours a week at a dental office and a cheese factory, and also taking online classes at WITCC, as he plots his way to dental school. He says he “never” gets tired of the long hours, as long as the work brings him closer to his dreams.

“I am obsessed,” MarMARQUEZ quez said of his longing to be a great dentist.

“I’ve been having that conversation with my mom, she’s asking me, ‘Hey, you don’t feel tired, you don’t feel overwhelmed, burned out?’” he said. “And honestly, no.”

Marquez, 27, was born in the Mexican state of Zacatecas and raised primarily in Colotlán, in the neighboring state of Jalisco. After he graduated high school, in 2009 Marquez and his family joined his father, who was working at a farm in Rock Valley.

Marquez couldn’t speak any English at the time, and since he’d already graduated from high school in Mexico, his op-

Dental assistant Leonardo “Leo” Marquez works with dentist Dr. Amber Meyer as she examines the teeth of patient Javier Cardenas Graeta at Rock Valley Dental in Rock Valley, Iowa. Marquez immigrated from Mexico 10 years ago and currently works 65 hours a week between jobs at the dental practice and a local factory. He hopes to get into dental school and become a cosmetic dentist.

portunities to learn English were limited.

So in 2011 he returned to Mexico to take up dental school, which he finished in 2015 (spoiler alert: he’s already a dentist in Mexico).

The decision to work in cosmetic dentistry (or, more broadly, in health care) was one that Marquez arrived at when he was young. It’s not really about the money, lucrative though dentistry may be — a self-described “social person,” Marquez says he want to help people whose teeth need help.

And he’s always had respect for those who wear white coats at their jobs.

“Whenever you go to the doctor, any doctor, you are a little bit worried and they bring solutions, and I always admire people who study a lot,” he said. “I knew that it was hard. I didn’t want to do anything easy with my life. Since I was a kid, I was trying to do things that, in a sense, make me feel fulfillment.

Leonardo “Leo” Marquez is shown at the Rock Valley Dental office in Rock Valley, Iowa. Marquez, 27, is hoping to get into dental school so he can become a cosmetic dentist. COURTESY LEO MARQUEZ

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“When you are doing cosmetic dentistry, you can literally change lives.”

In 2016, Marquez returned to the states after a required period of postcollege dental work in Mexico, where he was beloved by his patients.

“I was working in the hometown where my grandma is, those patients still are asking her when I am going to go back,” he said.

Settling into the life of a dentist in Mexico wasn’t quite enough for Marquez, who said the United States is “one of the best countries in the world to get dental education” — the technology and resources available to American dentists, he said, outstrip what’s available to dentists south of the border.

“I know how easy it is for you, just to deliver the procedures with more precision, with more quality, when you have the resources,” he said.

He still spoke no English on his return, so he set out learning the language with a computer program, followed by a semester of English classes at Texas State University in San Marcos. While there, he also worked at a dental clinic in Austin.

He subsequently returned to Iowa again, finding it would be more practical to stay with his parents for free and save money working close to home. Paying rent while working and studying in Texas was costly and burdensome.

Even as a licensed dentist in Mexico, Marquez found hurdles stood between him and an American DDS license.

Step one was the National Dental Board Examinations, which he passed after 20 months of studying and practicing his English: “Those were a huge deal, definitely.”

Step two was applying to dental schools that offer an international dental program, which allow students to capitalize on dental education and experience they bring from their home countries. The best fits for him, he found, were at the University of Texas at San Antonio and at the University of Buffalo in New York.

He interviewed and did dental work on a mannequin at the San Antonio dental school the first week of October, followed by mannequin tests at Buffalo the following week.

Competition for the spots was tough.

He did not make the cut at Buffalo, while San Antonio’s response should come by November or December.

He’s planning to apply to other schools as well and wants to be in the classroom by next fall. He expects to finish his U.S. dental schooling in two years.

Once he’s a licensed American dentist, Marquez has big plans for both sides of the border. He wants to live close to 32

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Dental assistant Leonardo “Leo” Marquez works with dentist Dr. Amber Meyer as she examines the teeth of patient Javier Cardenas Graeta.

“Being someone who’s bilingual put me in a special position to reach more people.

I want to own the best dental office in Mexico.”

LEONARDO MARQUEZ the U.S.-Mexico border, practicing as a prosthodontist in the United States but also owning his own dental practice in Mexico. He said he’ll probably hire other dentists to staff the office in Mexico, periodically traveling there himself to see patients.

“Being someone who’s bilingual put me in a special position to reach more people,” he said. “I want to own the best dental office in Mexico.”

In the meantime, Marquez is working 12-hour shifts at a cheese factory in Hull, Iowa, and as a dental assistant at Rock Valley Dental when he has days off at the factory. His Spanish and English

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skills make him an asset for Rock Valley Dental.

As if all that wasn’t enough, he’s also taking online courses through Western Iowa Tech Community College to earn an expanded dental assistant license.

Living with his parents, he’s saving money for the costly journey to dental school — school fees and costs (applications, interviews, deposits, plane tickets) mount quickly, even before you’ve been accepted and begin paying the steep tuition bill. Getting your foot in the door isn’t cheap. “(In) August, I worked 27 days in a row,” he said. “Dentistry is very expensive.”

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MONEY

paying differently

m VENMO

Mari Pizzini and Kaitlyn Polk display the Venmo app on their phones. The Morningside college students use the mobile payment service to send and receive money from family and friends.

THE

OPTION Morningside students opt for payment apps over cash Text and photographs by Dolly A. Butz

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SIOUXLAND LIFE

MARI PIZZINI USED VENMO for the first time over Labor Day weekend.

Although Pizzini said her friends and boyfriend have been urging her to use the mobile payment service, which is owned by PayPal, for about six months, the Morningside College junior was reluctant to make and receive payments using Venmo’s mobile app.

“They’ve all been using it for a long time and they don’t carry cash with them ever, so whenever I needed them to pay me back, they were like, ‘Well, get Venmo; and I’ll pay you back that way,’” she said.

A growing number of Americans never or rarely carry cash.

According to a 2018 Pew Research survey, roughly 3-in-10, or 29 percent, of U.S. adults reported that they make no purchases using cash during a typical week, up from 24 percent in 2015. Over that three-year period, the percentage of respondents who said they made all or almost all of their weekly purchases using cash declined from 24 percent to 18 percent.

Mari Pizzini display the Venmo app on her phone. The Morningside college student uses the mobile payment service to send and receive money from friends.

Pizzini’s mother is a computer security specialist, so the English major from Helena, Montana, was taught early on not to share her personal information online. She said her debit card was hacked during her freshman year of college, which further heightened her worry about inputting bank information and card numbers online.

“I found out that my card was being hacked in the middle of class when I got a call from my bank. They were basically asking me why I was paying $400 for extension cords,” she said. “I kind of went into a panic, because I couldn’t find my card. I thought somebody had stolen it, but it was just misplaced in my car. I’m still not sure how they got my information.”

“It’s just convenient to have a card on me or have it connected to some app on my phone. One of the apps I use most is Venmo.”

KAITLYN POLK Pizzini said she was “broke” for two weeks, as she waited for the money to be refunded. Her savings account was also frozen during that time period because it was connected to her checking account.

In spite of her hesitations about Venmo, Pizzini finally gave in.

Venmo account holders can transfer

funds to others via a mobile phone app. In the first quarter of 2018, Venmo processed $12 billion in transactions.

“I really needed people to pay me back and I had no other way to do it, so I decided to break down,” she said.

Kaitlyn Polk, a senior from Elgin, Nebraska, who is majoring in mass communications and nonprofit management, said she doesn’t carry cash. Instead, she said she opts to use her debit card or apps on her phone.

“It’s just convenient to have a card on me or have it connected to some app on my phone,” she said. “One of the apps I use most is Venmo.”

Polk said she uses Venmo to pay and receive payment from friends and family when they go out to eat or purchase concert tickets.

“They say, ‘Oh, I’ll Venmo you $10 for dinner,’” she said. “It’s just real easy, especially having the money stay on the Venmo app so you don’t have to put it in your account if you don’t want to. To be able to take it from the app into your actual bank account is nice, too.”

Polk said she trusts the security of apps like Venmo more than online retail sites that store credit and debit card numbers for future use.

“I don’t feel like I have a problem with Venmo or Cash App,” she said. “I have text messages sent to me every time I make a transaction. Depending on the app, you can have text message receipts sent to you or email receipts.”

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scams to watch

TOO GOOD

TO BE TRUE Seven steps to avoid becoming a scam victim

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Text by Earl Horlyk

LET’S SAY YOU RECEIVED a call from somebody identifying himself as a bail bondsman.

The caller said your grandchild has been arrested and needs bond money to get out of jail. What would you do?

If you’re like most people, you’d assume it’s a scam and hang up. Still, scammers rely on emotion or a sense of urgency to elicit money.

“People are smart enough to realize they’re being conned, either by someone on the phone or someone online,” Sioux City Police Lt. Chris Groves explained. “But they can also get caught in the excitement of things happening all at once.”

“Scammers know that,” he continued. “They know exactly what to do to keep you off guard.”

Plus these individuals realize victims might be too embarrassed or afraid to make a report or contact authorities.

“We’ve seen people lose their life savings in these situations,” Groves said. “A person can be too ashamed to admit to anyone.”

Other scammers prey on a person’s loneliness.

“There are plenty of reputable dating sites as well as ones that aren’t so reputable,” Groves said. “We’ve seen people think they’ve met somebody special, who needs money in order to meet them in person.”

“When the victim realize they’ve

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MONEY

FALL 2019

spent weeks, months, or more, to someone scamming them, it is devastating,” he added. “It’s a horrible feeling.”

That’s why Groves has tips to avoid...

1. DON’T TRUST TITLES Often, a scammer will pretend to be someone a person would normally trust, like a governmental official, a charity or a familiar company.

Groves said never send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request, whether it comes as a text, phone call or email.

2. DO SOME INVESTIGATING ON YOUR OWN Type in the name of a company or product, combining it with words like “scam,” “complaint” or “review.”

Or even search for phrases that describe likely scams such as “IRS call.”

A person can even search for phone numbers to see if other people have reported them as scams.

3. DON’T BELIEVE CALLER ID Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information, so the name and number you see aren’t always real. “People may see what they assume is a local number on caller ID,” Groves said. “The call may actually be coming from another state or another country.”

SIOUXLAND LIFE

4. DON’T PAY UPFRONT BASED ON A PROMISE If someone asks you to pay in advance for things like debt relief, loan offers or mortgage assistance, don’t do it. A person might even say you’ve won a prize but, first, you have to pay taxes or fees in order to claim it. These scammers will take your money and you’ll never hear from them again.

5. WATCH HOW YOU PAY FOR THINGS All credit cards have significant fraud protection. But wiring services — like Western Union or MoneyGram — do not.

In fact, it is almost impossible to get your money back. The same holds true for reloadable cards or gift cards.

6. DON’T KEEP SECRETS Scammers want you to make decisions in a hurry. Slow down, check out the story or just tell a friend.

7. FREE TRIAL OFFERS AREN’T ALWAYS FREE Some companies use free trial offers to sign you up for products and bill you every month until you cancel. Be sure to review your monthly statements for charges you don’t recognize. If you answer the phone and hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up on them.

Above all else, if you spot a scam, report it to local authorities or with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/ complaint.

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by nature. This open floor plan is designed to maximize the sun to heat & light the house. A custom build staircase and balcony allow you to see the flowing river to the south and the open floor-plan below.

Eric Hoak United Real Estate Solutions 712-251-4886

Let United Real Estate Solutions bring your home to life!

United’s exclusive Matterport 3-D Showcase connects with buyers to give them a true sense of your home’s beauty, layout and floor plan. Navigate a property from room to room like a video game. Experience a true, virtual home tour.

302 Jones St. Suite 100 Sioux City, IA 51101 712-226-6000 1913 Dakota Ave. So. Sioux City, NE 68776 402-494-2031 400 Gold Circle Suite 120 Dakota Dunes, SD 57049 605-217-4663

3-D Showcase

Dollhouse View

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www.UnitedRealEstateSolutions.com SIOUXLAND LIFE

FALL 2019

37

AMY MACFARLANE

SHE’S BACK

Interior Designer, dba

Lifestyles Interior Design

Breathing Life Into Home Spaces By Appointment 712-204-1925 · macfamy@gmail.com

4701 DeRocher Path, Sioux City

$890,000

Spectacular 5 bedroom, 5 bath home with over 6000 SF of living space that sits on almost 3 acres between Sioux City and Sgt. Bluff. Sellers have made many beautiful improvements to this property.

Lisa Croston CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-251-5214

4501 Stoneridge Point, Sioux City

$900,000

Amazing, custom built all brick and stone home on 3.3 acres with incredible views. Circle driveway in the front and privacy galore in the back. Open main floor living room, dining room and kitchen with breakfast area as well as master suite and a den. Walkout lower level features family room wet bar with fish tank, wine cellar, steam room and 2 more bedrooms.

Nearly everything you could think of can be found in this home.

Barb Maxon CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-253-3647 746 Crooked Tree Lane, Dakota Dunes

$668,000

This one of a kind Dakota Dunes Country Club home is sleek, modern, and custom in every detail. The high end kitchen features streamlined Bosch appliances; purposeful and beautiful! The sleek black granite island is appointed with designer light pendants.

Marceta Claypool CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-541-5118

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701 Buckwalter, Sioux City

$900,000 Original, custom designed home with a modern, contemporary flair and spectacular views in all directions of the 12 private acres and beyond.

This one owner home has 3 levels of living spaces with 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and 4 fireplaces. This is one of Sioux City’s finest homes on one of the best locations around.

Barb Maxon CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-253-3647

30883 457th Ave, Volin, SD

$1,500,000

RARE OPPORTUNITY!! This horse lovers dream acreage, located within 15 minutes of Vermillion, is truly amazing!! Comprised of 143.47 acres w\ 70+ tillable and 70+ scenic pasture land w\ 2 creeks. Property boasts a 200x155 show arena built in 2009, complete with 12 pens, heated crows nest, VIP seating and multiple entry points.

Dawn Conover KW Siouxland 402-494-5137 6453 Mickelson, Sioux City

$319,900

This home has a lot of extras including granite, stucco front, stone, pillars, patio, fenced yard, and three car garage. You won’t want to miss out on this home!! It was built in 2016, has tax abatement, and great modern farmhouse design.

Dawn Conover KW Siouxland 402-494-5137

LUXURY HOMES 556 Monterey Trail, Dakota Dunes

3710 Martins Yard, Sioux City

$549,900

Nearly 7,000 square feet of living space! High quality construction and a prime north side location. Custom built, all brick exterior with stately brick columns, wrought iron fencing and a circular drive. Priced to sell!

Eric Banks CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-898-8605

624 LaQuinta Court, Dakota Dunes

$725,000

Contemporary 1.5 story home built by Bousquet Construction. This home sits on generously sized lot on a prime cul de sac location with a fantastic golf course view. Very open floor plan even to the upper level with defined spaces and unique touches throughout.

Barb Maxon CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-253-3647

$650,000

Sitting on the signature 13th golf hole, this custom built home offers plenty of living spaces and entertaining spaces. All new oak floors installed by Dave’s Wood Floors on the main floor. Entry foyer is open to dining room, great room and stairway. This home is in pristine condition and ready for a new owner to enjoy this floor plan.

Barb Maxon CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-253-3647

975 Wynstone, Jefferson

$925,000

Exquisite attention to detail is revealed in every room of this wonderful home. Sitting on the Wynstone pond, the lot is pristine and well landscaped that includes prairie grass and modern black obsidian landscape rock from Washington state. Open the front door and be impressed with the open main living spaces.

Lower level features a gym, insulated theater room and family room with walkout to patio.

Barb Maxon CENTURY 21 ProLink 712-253-3647

2387 Highway 20, Lawton

$650,000

Welcome home to country living at its finest!

Outstanding custom built liteform ranch style home with 5+ bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, main floor laundry and an oversized, extra tall 3 stall garage sitting on 7.19 acres!

To check out current listings in your area, see this week’s copy of

Siouxland Homes Magazine or visit at SiouxlandHomesMag.com

Mark Vos United Real Estate Solutions 712-253-1449

Download the Siouxland Homes Magazine APP: Search “SIOUXLAND HOMES” and get started today!

SIOUXLAND LIFE

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39

MONEY

SWEET

baking a winner

SUCCESS Le Mars, Iowa, teen starts business that’s fi lled with frosting, sprinkles and love

j

Text by Earl Horlyk Photographs by Tim Hynds

JADA TIRRE’S LIFE CAN be examined by looking at the calendar on the wall of her parents’ kitchen.

Certain dates are marked off for such things as college career fairs or homecoming dances. But an increasing portion of the calendar has shorthand reminders to make cookies, bread and special occasion cakes.

You see, Jada is a busy entrepreneur w ith a home bakery. That is, she’s a busy with baker when it doesn’t interfere with her studies as a Le Mars Community High School junior.

“The wall calendar is helpful for both Jada and the rest of the family,” mom Joaquina Tirre said with a smile.

“That means it will be a crockpot dinner for us because Jada will be taking control of the kitchen.”

Top: At a time when kids are still deciding what to do with life, Jada Tirre, 16, is already a professional baker with her own home-based business, Filled With Love. Jada credited her parents Armando and Joaquina for encouraging her ambitions as well as friends, family and neighbors who act as taste testers for many of the recipes.

Left: Stirring in red flood coloring to homemade butter cream frosting, Jada Tirre, 16, gets ready to add it to a cake that will go to a baby shower. The Le Mars, Iowa teen started Filled With Love, a cake-making business, when she was 15 years old. Right: Acknowledging that baking is part art and part science, Jada Tirre adds red food coloring to white frosting in order to achieve the right shade of pink.

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A KNACK FOR BAKING, A KNACK FOR BUSINESS An avid cook and baker since she was a little girl, Jada remembered helping her dad Armando Tirre in the kitchen.

“My dad’s an amateur baker so I’d help him out a bit,” she said.

“Jada’s a natural,” Armando, a Wells Enterprises quality control manager, explained. “She just has a knack when it comes to baking.”

Not only that, but Jada also has a knack for business.

A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Starting off slowly by making artisan breads, empanadas and cake pops for family and friends, she established Filled With Love in the summer of 2018.

“I began Filled With Love as a way to get my name out in the public,” Jada said. “I’d sell my baked goods, every Saturday, at the Le Mars Farmers Market.”

It was there that she garnered a reputation for making sumptuous sourdough breads as well as an amazing creation she calls Aztec brownies.

“I can’t take credit for Aztec brownies since other people have made them,” Jada explained. “But I’ve added the perfect amount of espresso, cayenne pepper and chocolate to make it my own.”

UNCOVERING THE SECRET OF MAKING THE PERFECT CHEESECAKE While at the Farmers Market, Jada struck up a friendship with Nathan Howe, a Hinton, Iowa native and a graduate of the world-renowned Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado.

At that time, Howe was selling produce from his organic farm while working as a part-time baker at Alton, Iowa’s popular Sfumato Pizzeria.

According to Jada, Howe provided feedback when it came to Filled With Love baked goods while giving her the recipe for his cheesecake.

When Howe took a job in California, he recommended Jada to the owner of Sfumato.

“It was a bit of networking, I was able to secure my first business client,” Jada said. “I’ve been Sfumato’s cheesecake supplier ever since.”

IN THE KITCHEN WITH JADA Outside of her association with Sfumato, as well as a summer internship with the Le Mars-based Habitue Coffee House & Cakes to Remember, Jada said the bulk of her business comes from word-of-mouth or through Facebook.

This includes the cake she’s making that comes with a surprise in the center.

(Spoiler alert: the surprise is a center that’s loaded with tiny pieces of candy).

“I love these kinds of cakes because they’re fun to make,” Jada explained.

“You take two cake layers, cutting a small circle in the middle of each. As soon as you cut into it, the candy spills out.”

Well, in a perfect world, that’s what

Encouraged to pursue cake decoration from TV baking shows like “Cake Boss,” Jada Tirre, 16. makes special occasion cakes as well as artisan breads, cheesecakes and spicy Aztec brownies.

would happen.

In reality, Jada moved the cake from one plate to another, forgetting it was filled with candy. As soon as she made the switch, hundreds of multicolored candies fell onto the floor.

“OK, that wasn’t suppose to happen,” she said without a moment’s hesitation. “Nothing in baking is exact, so you always need to have a Plan B.” Jada’s Plan B amounted to refilling the center of the cake with new candy before adding pretty pink frosting to the finished product.

WELL-BAKED BUSINESS ADVICE “This is something that Jada is good at,” dad Armando said in admiration.

“She makes something work, one way or another.”

Which is important when you remember Jada is a businesswoman who still goes to study hall.

“I thought I’d have more problems with customers thinking I was just some kid,” she said. “But as soon as they see how professional I am, they take me seriously.”

It helps that Jada has enlisted many of her neighbors as taste testers.

“People are always in a good mood when it comes to cake,” she acknowledged.

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF BAKING A CAKE Even better, Jada’s acumen in the kitchen has helped her in the classroom.

“Jada certainly doesn’t have time management issues at school,” mom Joaquina noted. “That probably comes

A regular vendor at the Le Mars Farmers Market, Jada Tirre began Filled With Love as a way to promote her homemade baked goods. Here, she pipes frosting on a cake that is filled with mini pieces of candy.

from her baking.”

Perhaps it isn’t too surprising that Jada’s two favorite subjects in school are science and business.

“I like making pretty stuff because I like being artistic,” she said. “But you also need to know about science and business to become a baker.”

SAVE SOME ROOM FOR DESSERT And for the past year-and-a-half, Jada and Filled With Love have had plenty of sweet success.

Would she like to continue the business as she gets older? Well, she will never stop baking, that’s for sure.

“I’d like to study business when I go to college,” Jada said. “I grew up watching TV shows like ‘Cake Boss.’ Who knows, maybe I can grow up to be the next ‘Cake Boss.’”

‘CAKE BOSS’ IN THE MAKING Don’t let Jada Tirre’s youth fool you.

At age 16, she’s a successful home baker with plenty of cake-loving clients.

Check out her culinary creations on her Filled With Love Facebook page.

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MONEY

retirement mistakes

AVOID RETIREMENT

MISTAKES

o

Here are some pitfalls to steer clear of as you make your post-career plans Text by Liz Weston NerdWallet

ONE OF THE BIGGEST retirement mistakes you can make is not realizing what you don’t know.

I regularly hear from people in or near retirement who misunderstand how Social Security works, dramatically underestimate life expectancies or fail to plan for big expenses, such as long-term care or taxes.

These aren’t folks looking for advice.

They’ve already made up their minds and want to argue about financial planning precepts, such as when to take Social Security or how much retirement is likely to cost. But what they think they know just isn’t so.

The reality is that most people don’t get good, objective financial advice before they retire, says actuary Steve Vernon, consulting research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity.

Many people simply wing it, figuring that if they have a Social Security check and a little savings, somehow everything will work out.

Unfortunately, retirement is complicated, and your decisions can have irreversible consequences. Talking with a professional — ideally a fee-only financial planner — could save you from a costly mistake, including any of the following.

THINKING YOU’LL DIE YOUNG (OR EARLY) If you die early in retirement, your worries about paying for it are over. Live longer, though, and you easily could outlive your money. That stacks the deck in favor of waiting to start Social Security, since each year you put it off from age 62 to 70 increases your benefit by about 7% to 8%. That’s a guaranteed return on a stream of income that you can’t outlive or lose in a stock market downturn.

Plus, you may live longer than you think. The average U.S. life expectancy

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is just under 79, but that’s from birth. If you make it to 65, you can expect to live another 20 years or so. Half of all women currently in their mid-50s will live to 90, as will 1 in 3 men, according to the Society of Actuaries. People with healthy lifestyles and more education tend to live longer than average.

planned. A few get lucky, thanks to windfalls or strong stock markets. Many more retire because they lose their jobs and can’t find replacements or because of ill health (their own or a loved one’s). Working longer can help you make up for not saving enough, but it’s not an option you can count on.

IGNORING YOUR SPOUSE Speaking of Social Security: When one spouse dies, one of the couple’s two Social Security checks goes away. The survivor only gets the larger of the two checks. Maximize this survivor benefit by having the higher earner delay filing for Social Security as long as possible. Also, married people who will get a pension should strongly consider a “joint and survivor” option that allows payments to continue for both lives.

CARRYING DEBT INTO RETIREMENT If you’re wealthy, having debt may not be a big deal — you have plenty of income to make the payments, and your investments may be earning more than you’re paying in interest. If you’re not rich, though, you may be pulling too much from your savings to service the debt.

That could increase the chances you’ll run out of money. Big withdrawals from retirement funds also could push you into a higher tax bracket and increase your Medicare premium. Give yourself some options by planning to have debt paid off by retirement, but consult a

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ASSUMING YOU CAN WORK LONGER About half of retirees report leaving the workforce earlier than they had

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4

financial planner before you tap retirement accounts to pay off big debts, such as a mortgage.

PRIMER

FAILING TO PLAN FOR LONG-TERM CARE If there’s anything people want to ponder less than death, it’s decrepitude. Yet someone turning 65 today has a 70% chance in the future of needing help with daily living tasks, such as bathing, eating or dressing.

Family and friends will help some, but about half will incur costs for long-term care — and 15% will incur costs of $250,000 or more. Long-term care insurance may be one solution, or you may want to earmark certain investments or your home equity.

value of the bond itself can fluctuate during that time, but as long as the company’s stable, they’re supposed to be paying that percentage of interest to you.”

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5

DIVIDEND “A dividend can come directly from a stock, so if the stock pays a dividend it’s money that’s paid out to the shareholders. It can also come from a mutual fund, which means that the stocks inside the mutual fund have paid dividends to the fund, and the fund is distributing that to the shareholders of the fund.”

Do most stocks issue dividends? “It’s not that most do. It’s only some do. And not all stocks have any level of desire to pay a dividend.”

Is a dividend a sign a stock’s doing well? “It’s a net neutral in my opinion.

There are really, really great companies that just don’t pay dividends and there are really, really poor companies that pay dividends. And there’s bad ones that don’t and good ones that do.”

PUTTING OFF RETIREMENT TOO LONG With all this gloom and doom, now I’m telling you to hurry up already?

This bit of advice is for my fellow ants living in a grasshopper world: Sometimes, the grasshoppers get it right.

Time, good health and energy are all finite resources.

Spend a few hundred bucks of your hard-earned savings on a fee-only financial planner — and find out if it’s time to start living the future you’ve been saving for.

6

P/E RATIO “A P/E ratio is a price-to-equity ratio.

So, the price of the stock in relation to the total equity of the company, or the

total value of the company.”

Is a low P/E ratio bad?: “No, a low P/E ratio is actually better. We look for a low P/E ratio. When you start to get high P/E ratios, it tends to mean the stock is overvalued.”

MUTUAL FUND “A mutual fund is basically a basket of different stocks or bonds, and you can have stocks and bonds in some mutual funds. The mutual fund basically will have some type of management strategy, could be active, could be passive.

And, what they’re trying to do is bundle together different investments with the hope of growth. But by having more than one egg in your basket, they’re diversifying the risk. So they’re lowering the risk.”

TRUST AND TRUSTEE “A trustee is someone who has a fiduciary obligation to a trust. To have a trustee, you’ve got to have a trust. And a trust is a entity that’s created for a variety of different purposes. There’s lots of different types of trusts. But trusts are usually used to keep things private and to avoid probate. Generally people are doing it to protect what they’re trying to protect — assets or people — and they’re trying to have it be something that handles their wishes once they’re no longer there.”

RENOVATIONS THAT ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME Making home improvements will enhance your home’s Darrel Bullock President comfort as well as add Sioux City Building Inspections to its value. But not all home improvement projects are created equal. If you plan on selling your home in the near- or long-term, take the time now to focus on those projects that offer the best return on your investment. While the cost and value of your home improvements will vary based upon many factors, if you have an older home, the following projects often have the biggest impact when the time comes to sell your home.

cabinets are great ways to makeover a kitchen. And even small adjustments such as changing out old hardware or adding a new faucet can add up in a big way.

Bath. If you have bigger underlying issues such as mold or water damage, you should consider a complete bathroom remodel. Homes with these types of issues will not likely pass a home inspection. You may end up paying for repairs — now or later. Your bathroom does not need to be completely gutted to add value to your home. Dated materials or fixtures can make a big difference with first impressions. A recent National Association of Home Builders survey of home buyers revealed that Kitchen. From cooking to catching up with friends more than half (63 percent) preferred a white toilet, and family, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Not tub and sink. only will you enjoy a new kitchen, potential home buyers are attracted to a modern, functional space. Curb Appeal. First impressions are key for home According to Remodeling magazine’s 2019 Cost buyers. A fresh and inviting look can be achieved vs. Value Report, home owners can recoup about with a well-maintained landscape. Mature trees 80 percent of the cost of a minor kitchen remodel. and trimmed grass can draw prospective buyers to So, while a gourmet kitchen would be nice, it isn’t a home. Beyond the landscaping, installing new necessary from an investment standpoint. Moderate hardware, doors and windows can greatly enhance updates such as replacing outdated appliances or your home’s exterior appearance. If you have panels

that are loose, rotted, warped, cracked or molded, it is time to consider having them replaced.

Interior Paint. A fresh coat of paint with a personalized or bold hue is a welcomed choice, but only if you’re not looking to sell your home soon. If you are putting your home on the market, neutral colors are ideal. The color of your walls is only a small part of your home, but it can influence a potential home buyer. When buyers walk through a home, they often visualize what it would be like to live in the home. So it’s best to use paint colors that won’t distract potential buyers.

Roof. Another big-ticket home improvement — but one that will add significant value to your home — is a roof replacement. Remodeling magazine estimates that home owners can recoup about 68 percent of the cost of an asphalt shingle roof replacement, and 61 percent of the cost of a metal roof replacement.

There are many roofing options available for home owners, from a variety of colors and textures, to longer warranties and enhanced energy efficiency.

To find a remodeler in the Siouxland area, visit http://www.siouxlandhba.com/members

712-255-3852 | siouxlandhba.com SIOUXLAND LIFE

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43

ADVICE Medical

Answers

‘DOC, I’VE GOT A QUESTION …’ answers to your medical questions

MEET THE DOC Dr. Eli Wayman, an Omaha native who attended high school in Glenwood, Iowa, completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Nebraska. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

How long should you wait after hitting your head to see a doctor?

Are there symptoms to watch out for?

When it comes to head injuries, we do not recommend waiting for any duration before being seen by a physician. If a head injury is suspected, that individual should be evaluated by a medical professional. Concussions are one of the most common head injuries. Common signs and symptoms include short term memory loss, headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to be evaluated by a medical professional after a head injury in order to ensure that the injury is not more severe than it appears.

I have been on an airplane where they say they can’t serve peanuts because someone has an allergy. What about if I had a candy bar with peanut butter in it.

Would that affect the person? Or do they have to consume it to be affected? Why are peanut allergies so sensitive?

Allergies to foods are very common.

Allergy to peanuts is perhaps one of the most common food allergies. People with allergies to peanuts are not all alike. Some have mild reactions of itching while others have life threatening reactions.

A life threatening action is called anaphylaxis. In anaphylaxis, an individuals throat

may become swollen leading them to have difficulty breathing. These individuals need to carry a drug called epinephrine with them to treat their symptoms when they accidentally ingest or come into contact with peanuts.

In order to keep people safe and to reduce complications associated with allergic reactions in airplanes, airlines can decide to not serve peanuts. Individuals who consume a candy bar with peanuts as long as they don’t have an allergy to peanuts are safe. It’s possible for them to have peanut oil on their hands after eating the candy bar and if they touch a surface that is common (such as a door handle) another person who does have peanut allergy may react to the oil.

The severity of the reaction is dependent upon the person’s sensitivity to

The Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland consists of quality builders, subcontractors, and suppliers. If you are thinking of building a new home or have a remodeling project, please contact the association for a list of reputable contractors.

Visit us online at www.siouxlandhba.com for a complete list of members or email us at hbasooland@siouxlan.net 3900 Stadium Dr., Sioux City, IA

712-255-3852

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SIOUXLAND LIFE

peanut oil. The reaction to peanut oil happens in the skin when the oil comes into contact with cells that recognize the oil and secrete chemicals that lead to a reaction. Some reactions are stronger than others based on how many cells and how sensitive those cells are to the peanut oil.

I’ve been having some stiffness in the back of my head – or neck – what nonmedication remedies are there to loosen those muscles?

Neck stiffness is very common and can be caused by multiple things. One of the most common things that cause muscle stiffness is a neck muscle injury.

Muscle strain occurs when the muscle is stretched too quickly or strongly causing muscle fibers to tear. There are tiny motion sensors in muscles that detect stretch and injury and when they are over stretched or muscle fibers are injured they send messages to the brain in the form of pain. At the same time, blood flow increases to the muscle fibers to promote healing. This increased blood flow causes swelling and stretching of the muscle fibers that also leads to pain.

have successfully matured are attempting to create seeds that are necessary for the next season’s growth. It is the pollen that causes people to sneeze and have runny noses.

The best non-medication remedy within the first 24 hours of injury is ice every 1 to 2 hours for 15 minutes at a time. Ice temporarily reduces the blood flow to the affected muscle leading to a decrease in swelling. After the first 24 hours, it is up to the individuals preference for continuing using ice or trying a hot pad. It is important to never let ice or head be in direct contact with the skin. Always use a barrier between the ice or heat and skin to prevent skin injury.

Why do people refuse to take the flu shot in the fall? Is there a reason to avoid them?

One of the most commonly held beliefs about the flu shot is that it will give you the flu. Fortunately, the flu vaccine will not cause you to get the flu. Most individuals who get the flu after getting the vaccine have already been infected with the flu virus.

There is likely to be some mild flu-like symptoms associated with the flu vaccine, but that is only from your body’s immune system reacting to the vaccine and building up a defense against the virus. There are a few reasons to avoid the flu vaccine: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to the vaccine that required medicine or if you have an allergy to eggs, you should not get the vaccine. Otherwise, the vaccine is safe.

My allergies are worse in the fall than in the spring. Why is that?

Allergies are worse in the fall because plants are actively releasing pollen. Flowering plants, called angiosperms, pollinate well into the fall season. Plants that

What health problems can mold in your house cause?

Mold is a term for tons of different types of fungi. Fungi are very common in the outdoor world. They play a very important role in breaking down dead plants and organisms.

Fungi are dependent upon wet environments. When they detect a dry environment, they create tiny spores that hibernate until water comings along.

Sometimes mold can grow in a home where there is a wet environment.

When it grows, it can cause symptoms in humans including asthma, runny nose, and several lung diseases.

It is important to keep the humidity of your home below 65 percent in order to prevent the growth of mold. This can be easily done with a dehumidifier.

WHAT KINDS OF HEALTH QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE? Submit your questions and they may be used in this quarterly feature. Write to Siouxland Life at 515 Pavonia St., Sioux City, Iowa 51102.

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45

HOW TO AVOID BANKING OVERDRAFT CHARGES

Brought to you by:

Federally Insured by NCUA

What is an Overdraft?

How Overdrafts Occur:

The basic definition of an overdraft is the spending of more money than is available in your account.

Checks and ACH transactions clear your account from the lowest dollar amount to the highest dollar amount daily. ATM/Debit card transactions may clear immediately or it may take up to three days to clear your account. If you use your card with your PIN, the transaction will clear immediately. If you use your debit card as a credit, the transaction may take up to three days to clear your account.

Tips To Help You Avoid Overdrafts 1. Keep track of all deposits and withdrawals from your account as they are made. Be sure you do not spend more than your *available balance each day. Then record your transactions at the end of the day (in your check register). Be careful not to forget any transactions, as this can lead to overdrafts on your account. *

Available balance - your available balance is the most current record about the funds in your account available for withdrawal.

When you make a purchase with your debit card, a hold is placed on your account for the amount of the transaction until the item is cleared from your account. Although the funds have not actually been withdrawn from your account, the hold reduces your account the hold reduces your available balance. Be careful, outstanding checks that have not cleared your account or items that you have set up in online BillPay, are not deducted from your available balance.

2. Use online banking features on a regular basis to keep track of your account.

Use free E-services to receive notifications for the following:  when your account balance falls below an amount that you choose  when a specific check number clears, or a range of check numbers  when an amount specified by your is withdrawn from your account 3. Try to keep a cushion, or extra money, in your account in case you forget a transaction or make an addition or subtraction error.

Overdraft Protection Options Transfer from Share Savings Accounts At Siouxland Federal Credit Union it is free to have available funds transferred from your savings account to cover overdrafts in your checking account. Transfers can be set up from a regular savings account or money market account. Certain accounts and IRAs cannot be used for overdraft protection.

Overdraft Line of Credit An overdraft line of credit is basically a loan that you are pre-qualified for to help protect against overdrawing your account. Line of credit approval is subject to underwriting, and typically you will be notified within 24 hours whether your application is approved or denied. There is no fee charged to obtain an overdraft line of credit, however, interest will be charged on the outstanding line of credit balance. You may pay off your credit line anytime you wish or you can make monthly payments to it.

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SIOUXLAND LIFE

PARTING SHOT By

Bruce Miller

Background vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com

THE GREAT WISDOM TEETH EXPERIENCE OF 2019

DENTIST BACKGROUND DENTIST HOW DO YOU GO decades without having your wisdom teeth pulled?

That’s a question I’ve been wrestling with during the last week when I’ve been in pain after having it done.

“Usually, you get them out when you’re a teenager,” I’ve been told more times than I can count. Apparently, I was too busy back then or the idea of someone grabbing my teeth with a pair of pliers was just too unbearable.

Throughout the years, my dentist has suggested he pull them, but held off because they were still fill-able. I went along with that because I would rather face the drill than the excavator. When he retired (and passed me on to someone else), those darn teeth came up again.

“You should have those out,” my new dentist said and promptly sent me to an oral surgeon and a gum specialist. I was able to talk both of them out of the procedure. My line of thinking: Two out of three dentists recommend keeping your wisdom teeth.

“Someday you’re just going to have to do it,” my dentist said. I took care of those babies like crazy. Sure, it felt like I had teeth near my ears, but they hung in there.

And then?

One of them chipped and the “there’s nothing more we can do to save it” speech came out. I read everything I could about “older” people having their

wisdom teeth out and freaked when I got to the part where there could be some permanent numbness.

“No one but you will notice it,” I was assured. But I could just see my face contorting into some version of the Joker. As a child, I was warned not to make too many faces because “it just might turn that way.” As an adult, I was convinced it would.

Bravely, I opted to be knocked out so I wouldn’t know what happened.

I signed papers (that absolved the oral surgeon from all those heinous things that could happen) and sat back.

When I woke, I was groggy – and ready for a good nap – but I didn’t feel much pain.

Instead, I got a list of instructions for the weekend and a prescription for pain medication. Thinking I didn’t want to be a double statistic – an older person with an opioid addiction and a mangled face – I settled on over-thecounter remedies and, thanks to a great friend, got home.

There, I sat, gauze firmly placed in my mouth. What I realized was I hadn’t eaten for the better part of a day and I couldn’t really rely on the four main food groups – chips, Cokes, candy and fries. I’d have to have something soft.

But what?

For a week, I went cold turkey on everything I loved. I ate so many mashed potatoes I was sure I’d turn

into a Thanksgiving turkey. I made the rounds of Jell-O, ice cream, shakes and pancakes, but nothing was as good as a chip. I went through such Ruffles withdrawal I secretly thought I should lick one just to remember how good it tasted.

My jaws hurt, my head ached, my body drooped and I was ready to be done with the great Wisdom Teeth Experience of 2019. This went on for a week.

Every time I thought I was turning a corner, I saw the envelope with the spoils of my adventure – four dinosaur teeth that looked like they had been dragged through a vat of silver.

“You should put them on a chain and wear them around your neck,” a friend said. Somehow, I don’t think the saber-toothed tiger look is in, even among rappers.

Instead, I hoped the Tooth Fairy (or a museum) might come and pay top dollar for something more than 50 years old. (No such luck.)

My face hasn’t frozen into an evil grin – yet – and my night of gorging potato chips is still in the future.

But I’m glad I did it – pain and all.

Now, I can sound like I’m much younger than I really am. When teenagers talk about having their wisdom teeth out, I can chime in: “I had mine out last year” and I’m sure they’ll think I’m practically a peer.

BACKGROUND SIOUXLAND LIFE

FALL 2019

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FEDERALLY INSURED BY NCUA

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NOVEMBER 2019

SIOUXLAND LIFE