Your Biggest Investment Enemy: Yourself

November 3, 2015 by admin

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

One of the most well-known investors of the 20th Century, Benjamin Graham, said, “The investor’s chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself.”

What Graham understood—and what modern research is catching up to—is the idea that we all have emotions and biases that affect our decision making. The innate wiring built to survive pre-modern times can be counterproductive in our modern world, especially when it comes to investing.

Let’s look at a few of the human emotions and biases that can adversely impact sound investment decision making.

Fear and Greed: These are the two of the most powerful emotions that move investors and investment markets. Each emotion clouds our capability for rational and dispassionate decision making. They are the emotions that lead us to believe that prices may continue to rise (think tulip price bubble of 1636) or that everything has gone so wrong that prices may not recover (think credit crisis of 2008-2009).

Some investors have found ways to conquer these emotions and to be brave when everyone else is fearful, and to resist the temptations of a too-exuberant market.

Overconfidence: Peter Bernstein, a noted economic historian, argued that the riskiest moment may be when we feel we are right. It is at that precise moment that we tend to disregard all information that may conflict with our beliefs, setting ourselves up for investment surprise.

Selective Memory: Human nature is such that we tend to recast history in the manner that emphasizes our successes and downplays our failures. As a result, we may not benefit from the valuable lessons failure can teach. Indeed, failure may be your most valuable investment.

Prediction Fallacy: Humans have an innate desire to recognize patterns and apply these patterns to predicting the future. We erroneously believe that because “A” occurred and “B” happened, that if “A” happens again, we can profit by anticipating “B” will repeat. Market history is littered with examples of “rules of thumb” that worked—until they no longer worked.

Financial markets are complex and unpredictable. Our endeavors to tap their opportunities to pursue our financial goals are best realized when we don’t burden the enterprise by blindness to the inherent behavioral obstacles we all share.

www.actiswealth.com

Build Trust With Your Mechanic

November 3, 2015 by admin

Trust in your auto repair shop

Do you look forward to visits with your auto mechanic? Do they make you feel valued and respected? If you’re thinking, “not so much,” then I recommend you ask yourself whether you really trust your shop. Let’s face it—auto repairs can be very expensive, and unfortunately, sometimes some shops can be less than honest.

As a business owner, family man, and mechanic, I have found that trust is the key to customer satisfaction when it comes to auto repairs—not cheap prices, fast service, or fancy facilities.

Wherever you go for auto repair services, ask for these trust-building basics:

All of the information you need to make a fully-informed decision. Your shop should fully inform you of each issue, its severity, and your repair options. This is often a two-way conversation, and when done well, you will feel comfortable making the repair decisions that are right for you.
The unembellished truth about any safety concerns on your vehicle. Listen to your gut—it will tell you if safety is just a card being played to make a sale. If there is a safety concern, your shop should provide a description of the problem, an explanation of how it’s a safety issue, and different repair options. On the flip side, because safety IS important, most every visit to your shop should include an inspection.
Up-front pricing. Your shop should give you pricing up-front for all work, and get your approval before beginning the work. Sometimes this means agreeing to a diagnostic approach and then additional repair approval before continuing.
Certified technicians. Most shops have certified technicians, and you’ll want to make sure yours does, too. However, don’t assume that this alone means your shop is trustworthy. It takes integrity at every level of an organization to deserve your trust.

Using a trustworthy shop is the best way to minimize the stress and costs involved in auto repairs. Try these tips with your current shop, or stop in to Willard Garage to see these principles in action.

www.willardgarage.com

Swimming Lessons Saves Lives

November 3, 2015 by admin

71% of the World is Water & Children Are 100% Curious

Drowning can happen nearly anywhere with standing water. But, as a parent or caregiver, you can’t keep your children sidelined. You need to equip them with the tools they need to be confident in and around water so they don’t lose out on the health benefits of exercise, the opportunities to bond with family and friends, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from learning new skills.

Consider these startling statistics:

Three children die every day as a result of drowning.
Drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children from 5-14 years old.
Sixty percent of youth drowning incidents occur under adult supervision.
Ten percent of youth drowning incidents occur within 10 feet of safety.

The YMCA has a unique opportunity to help with this social need.

There are more than 900 Ys in 10,000 communities across the country.
The Y owns and operates more swimming pools than any other organization in the country.
In 2013, Ys delivered swim instruction to more than 1.2 million children.
The Y engages 9 million youth in its programs annually.

What can you do as a parent? Take the family pledge when using pools.

FAMILY PLEDGE

We will always watch children around water.
We will stay within arm’s reach of young children in the water.
We will swim near a lifeguard.
We will reach or throw—not go—to help a swimmer who is in trouble.
We will learn CPR.
We will enroll children in swim lessons.

YMCA swim lessons are available year-round. Swim lessons are offered to children beginning at 6 months of age through Waterbabies parent/child lessons. Small group lessons begin at age 3. The Waukee Family YMCA offers a progressive aquatics program that works to help meet the needs of everyone—from both children and adults learning to swim, to advanced-level swimmers pursuing competitive goals.

To register for Y swim lessons, visit www.dmymca.org or visit the Y. YMCAs also offer safe, year-round environments for open swimming and lap swimming. Join the Y, and receive free open swim benefits, as well as early registration dates and reduced program fees for swim lessons.

How To Protect Against Identity Theft

November 3, 2015 by admin

Identity theft is the act of taking someone’s personal information and using it to impersonate a victim, steal from bank accounts, establish phony insurance policies, open unauthorized credit cards, or obtain unauthorized bank loans. In some more elaborate schemes, criminals use the stolen personal information to get a job, rent a home, or take out a mortgage in the victim’s name.

Close to half of identity theft cases are the result of a lost or stolen wallet, checkbook, credit card, or other physical document, but online shopping can also pose a security risk.

Victims of identity theft are often left with lower credit scores and spend months or even years getting credit records corrected. They frequently have difficulty getting credit, obtaining loans, and even finding employment. Victims of identity theft fraud often travel a long and frustrating road to recovery; depending on the severity of the identity theft fraud damage, the recovery process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years.

Most homeowners’ and renters’ policies provide coverage for theft of money or credit cards; however, the amount of coverage is limited (usually $200 in cash and $50 on credit cards). Once you have reported the loss or theft of your credit card to the issuing company, you are responsible for only $50 of unauthorized use.

Some companies now include coverage for identity theft as part of their homeowners’ insurance policy. Check your policy to find out. Others sell it as either a stand-alone policy or as an endorsement to a homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy which can run about $25-$50 annually.

Identity theft insurance provides reimbursement to crime victims for the cost of restoring their identity and repairing credit reports. It generally covers expenses such as phone bills, lost wages, notary, and certified mailing costs, and sometimes attorney fees (with the prior consent of the insurer). Some companies also offer restoration or resolution services that will guide you through the process of recovering your identity.

Use of stolen credit card numbers is among the most common forms of identity theft, but some schemes use electronic means, including online scams like ‘phishing,’ in which thieves use email inquiries purporting to be from financial or other online organizations, to obtain sensitive account information. Others might use more old-fashioned methods, such as ‘dumpster diving’—rooting around in people’s garbage to collect financial information.

Many credit card companies are now using radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips in their credit cards instead of magnetic stripes. The advantage is quicker, more efficient transactions—especially those carried out at traditionally cash-only retail outlets, such as fast-food restaurants or convenience stores. However, in some cases, radio frequency identification may make it possible for identity thieves to use a simple electronic device to capture the information. The scariest part is that it can happen right in your presence, without your even knowing it.

Source: Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska
www.insproins.com

Why Your Posture Is Important

November 3, 2015 by admin

Q: Is posture really that important?

A: Yes, your mother was right; posture is extremely important. Your posture is an indicator of your overall health. In many cases, headaches, back pain, breathing problems, balance issues, tight shoulder muscles, tight leg muscles, and even plantar fasciitis can be attributed, at least partly, to poor posture.

You can check your posture yourself. Take two photos of yourself, capturing your entire standing body—one shot from the front, and one from the side. When looking at the front-facing photo, check whether your eyes are level, as well as your ears and hips. When looking at the photo taken of yourself from the side, check that your ear canal is directly over the middle of your shoulder, which should be directly over the middle of your hip, which should be directly over the bump on the outside of your ankle.

Abnormal posture is one of the most commonly undiagnosed problems. Based on today’s fast-paced, yet sedentary, lifestyle, it can be difficult to maintain proper posture. Habits that form early on while watching television, learning to drive, using a computer, or even playing video games can have long-lasting negative effects on your posture.

Fortunately, posture can always be improved, and can often be corrected. Most postural abnormalities involve a group of muscles that are too tight and a group of opposing muscles that are too stretched. A number of chiropractors, physical therapists, and other doctors are trained in recognizing and correcting these patterns. Ask your doctor about specific stretches and strengthening activities that can help you improve your posture.

www.enhancedhealthchiro.com

Steps To Creating A Household Budget

November 3, 2015 by admin

Steps To Creating A Household Budget

In these tough economic times, it’s more important than ever for families to develop a budget and stick to it. Rainy-day funds, savings for college, or just making your rent payment can all be made easier with a budget. American Trust supports its clients’ efforts to budget and save by offering expert guidance.

“A financial goal can be very motivating,” said Sara Larson, Vice President and Branch Manager at American Trust. “Whether you’re saving for a family vacation, a down payment for a house, or a new car, if you stick to a plan, you’re likely to achieve your goal.”

Putting together a household budget requires time and effort. American Trust offers the following steps to help you get started:

Track every penny you spend for a month. Keep receipts and write everything down. This will be an eye-opening experience and will help you see where you can cut back.
Determine the total amount of money coming in. Include only your take-home pay (your salary minus taxes and deductions). Your income may also include tips, child support, investment income, etc.
Review the records and receipts you collected over the last month. Categorize your spending using a budget.
Set a realistic financial goal and develop your budget to achieve that goal. Subtract your monthly expenses from your monthly income. Find ways to cut spending and set limits on things like entertainment expenses.
Make one of your financial goals to save a certain dollar amount each month. Start an emergency fund if you don’t already have one. You never know when you may need it.
Keep track of your spending every month. Update your budget as expenses or incomes change. Once you achieve your financial goal, set another.
Make life more rewarding with RewardChecking and RewardSavings from American Trust. Save more with two great rates and ATM rebates up to $25. Each month, your checking interest and ATM rebates are automatically transferred to your savings where you earn interest again. See ad on page ?…

A community pillar since 1911, American Trust has continuously strengthened its products and services while maintaining the integrity and commitment that can only be found in a community bank.

Do Not Underestimate Thieves

November 3, 2015 by admin

Don’t Underestimate Thieves!

While a thief is obviously a person making a bad decision, they’re not necessarily unintelligent. Don’t underestimate someone who is determined to rip you off in one way or another. Many of them have clever methods.

Statistics show that thieves generally take the path of least resistance. The more secure the situation, the less likely they will be to target it.

With all the electronic gadgets available today, it’s likely you use at least one or two of them. Here are some steps you can take to make it more difficult—and therefore less likely—for thieves to target your home.

“Open, Says ME!” If your garage door opener is removable, and you keep your registration—or other items with your home address—in your car, you’ve just told your thief where you live and given them a way to get in. Imagine that the thief found this information in your car while it’s in long-term parking at the airport. Now you’ve also provided information that you’ll be gone for a long time. TIP: Take your remote garage door opener with you when leaving your car—even for a few hours.

“GPS, Take Me Home.” Was “home” one of the first locations you programmed into your GPS? This, in combination with having a garage door opener, creates a situation similar to the first scenario. The thief now has a way in to your house and can ask your GPS to direct him straight to your house. TIP: Keep the “home” setting, but change it so it directs you to a nearby location (e.g., a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home.

“Hubby, Sweetie, Honey, Mom.” Take a look through your contacts list on your cell phone. Do you use nicknames for your loved ones, or do they use them for you? If you got a text from “hubby” that said “In line at grocery store. Forgot PIN for debit card. Text it to me please.” Or from “mom” that said “What’s our garage door keypad code again?” What would you do? More than likely, you’d promptly text them the necessary information. If your loved one’s phone was in the hands of a thief, you just gave them access to your bank account or your home. TIP: Don’t assign nicknames in your contacts. In addition, if they’re requesting sensitive information, confirm their identity by asking specific questions via text, or better yet, call and talk to them. Furthermore, if you DO confirm the identity and text the information, be sure to delete the text later, and make sure your “hubby” (or sweetie, or mom) does, too.

Missing Item Found! Have you ever lost something of value and reported it to the authorities (e.g., mall security, airport security, library lost and found)? Just think how happy you’d be if you got a call that they had your item and you should come and claim it immediately. If it’s a thief who actually made the call, they’re now aware that you’ll be out of your house for a while—perhaps enough time to burglarize your home. TIP: Look up the “real” phone number (don’t just use the caller ID display) and call to confirm that the call was valid before leaving your house.

Bottom Line: Take your time and think before acting, speaking, or texting. If it doesn’t feel quite right, or if you’re revealing information that you would normally keep secure, pause and think it through before revealing it. Thieves can be very tricky. They will rely on the element of surprise, count on “typical” human responses, smile and be charming, and look you straight in the eye and speak with confidence—all while getting you to reveal information or behave in a way that works to their advantage.

Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement

November 3, 2015 by admin

Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement

Pursuing your retirement dreams can be very challenging. To give yourself the best possible chance of reaching your retirement goals, steer clear of the following eight big blunders whenever possible.

Having no strategy. Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you’ll get there—or whether you’ve arrived. Creating a strategy will likely increase your potential for success, both before and after retirement.
Frequent trading. Chasing “hot” investments often leads to despair. Create an asset allocation strategy that is properly diversified to reflect your objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon; then make adjustments based on changes in your personal situation, not due to ups and downs in the market.
Failing to maximize tax-deferred savings. Workers have tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement. Not participating in your employer’s 401(k) may be a mistake, especially when you’re passing up free money in the form of employer-matching contributions.
Prioritizing college funding over retirement. Your kids’ college education is important, but you may not want to sacrifice your retirement for it. Remember, you can get loans and grants for college, but you can’t do so for your retirement.
Overlooking health care costs. Extended care expenses can undermine your financial strategy for retirement if you don’t prepare for it.
Failing to adjust your investment approach well before retirement. The last thing your retirement portfolio can afford is a sharp fall in stock prices and a sustained bear market at the moment you’re ready to stop working. Consider adjusting your asset allocation in advance of tapping your savings so you’re not selling stocks when prices are depressed.
Retiring with too much debt. If too much debt is bad when you’re making money, it can be deadly when you’re living in retirement. Consider managing or reducing your debt level before you retire.
Neglecting your overall well-being. It’s not all about money. Above all, a rewarding retirement requires good health, so be sure to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stay socially involved, and remain intellectually active.

Actis Wealth Management
www.actiswealth.com

Why Vodka in Sauces?

October 27, 2015 by admin

There is one ingredient that, when coming across it in recipes, has made me ask why: vodka, especially when it shows up in sauces. Vodka’s purpose isn’t clear, because A) it’s neutral, B) it’s typically added in such small quantities that it barely provides any alcoholic bite, and C) much of that alcohol is evaporated off by heat, anyway. So what’s the use?

As it turns out, the reasons against adding vodka to sauce actually provide clues as to why it can be a big benefit. This article from Fine Cooking helps explain: alcohol is a great solvent for aromatic compounds. It’s also volatile and evaporates easily, so as its particles drift into the air, they carry those aromas with them. As you chew, that translates into more flavors that reach the back of your mouth, creating a heightened sense of complexity. At high concentrations, alcohol’s sting can overwhelm these flavors, but in small volumes, that sensation is balanced and pleasant.

Additionally, alcohol has a magical emulsifying ability, bonding with both water and fat, encouraging the two to coexist smoothly. In recipes like penne alla vodka, it helps the sauce become a creamier, tomato-ier, more cohesive whole. You could use wine or other alcohols that would impart their own distinctive flavors, but in a rich sauce like that it’s not entirely necessary.

Dracula Descends On Waukee

October 23, 2015 by admin

Just in time for Halloween, Iowa Shakespeare Experience is swooping into Waukee with the Gothic tale, Dracula Evermore. Audience members are invited to let the imagination run wild with mystery as they travel with Count Dracula from Transylvania to England midst conflict with  Professor Van Helsing and Jonathan Harker.  Victorian props and costume will converge on stage with haunting, dramatic music and the aura of candlelight to set the stage of the Waukee Area Arts Council’s ArtsCentral.

Lorenzo Sandoval, ISE artistic director, said the company chose to present the story of Dracula because of the compelling plot and amazing theatrical qualities.

“It reflects enduring, universal themes: the excesses of pride, the terrible temptations of dominance over others, the battle between science and the supernatural, the power of faith and the divine beauty of redemption,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval served as the director, adaptive playwright, and co-executive producer for this version of the famous tale.

Professional actors bring a mature, three-dimensional dynamic to their characters. Starring as the brooding fearsome Dracula is Matt Wiggins. John Zickefoose takes the role of the brilliant, fearless scientist, Van Helsing, and Marie Schmidt plays the strong-willed, virtuous heroine, Mina Harker.

Sandoval said for this adaptation he felt strongly about retaining Bram Stoker’s literary structure of the 1897 novel including diary entries, letters, telegrams and newspaper accounts.

“For this production I incorporated Stoker’s epistolary conceit to provide a storytelling framework, and I combined it with vivid, in-the-moment action and dialogue that spring from the letters and journals,” Sandoval said providing insight into the style of the show.

Sandoval said this will be ISE’s third production of Dracula; the first was in 2013.

“It has evolved over the years,” Sandoval explained. “In the beginning, the production’s style was more like reader’s theatre and now the play is kinetic and operates on several levels. The relationships are sharply defined, the dialogue is vivid and the action is dynamic.”

ArtsCentral is a fitting venue for the show as the Dracula story is an old Victorian tale with a great deal of spirituality and references to Christian symbolism, according to Robin Heinemann, ISE executive director.

“To set the story in the sweeping space of Waukee Arts Council’s historic church building suits the story so well on multiple levels; there is a synergy with an historic time period as well as with any spiritual overtones the structure has,” Heinemann added.

ArtsCentral also offers a “theater-in-the-round” setting—meaning the audience surrounds the performers on all sides for the “salon style” performance. Heinemann said Dracula, along with other productions in the ISE indoor series, offers a notably intimate experience, more so than a typical stage show where the audience is often far away from the action.

Dracula Evermore runs just under two hours, in two one hour acts, with an intermission break of 20 minutes. During intermission a festive table will be set with seasonal treats, cookies, spiced cider and coffee. There will also be a cash-donation wine bar.

Heinemann, who also served as co-executive producer and headed set lighting and costume design, said that the production has built quite a reputation for itself since the show’s inception resulting in an incredible number of return customers.

“Each year we also add new fresh little twists to the way we perform the story—precisely for our wonderful repeat guests,” Heinemann said. “People say it just gets better and better, and they didn’t think it could since it was so great the first time around!”

Plus, if there were ever a reason to see the show this year it may be the last.

“Due to the level of excited response, we anticipate that this will likely be the final year we will run this show in the Metro area,” Heinemann offered. “Next year, we anticipate taking it ‘on the road’ to other areas of Iowa, so we encourage Waukee residents to come while the play is in their own backyard!”

Because of adult themes the show is not necessarily recommended for children under the age of eight. However, Heinemann said, “Children do respond very well to the show; any child who is able to sit still and wonder at the magic of live theatre is welcome.”

Heinemann summed up why this is the perfect production to set the tone for the Halloween holiday.

“This is a beautiful, dreamy and imaginative celebration of Halloween—in a smart, entertaining and sophisticated way. No one ‘jumps out at you’ in this show and yet, you are captivated by action as up close and personal as it can be,” Heinemann said of the unique experience.

Tickets

Let your imagination run wild with mystery and fear this Saturday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for VIP (best seating), $20 for general admission adults and $10 for youth (ages 10-16). Tickets may be purchased online at RedTruckTickets.com, at Waukee Hardware, at 380 Sixth St. or at the theater doors as available.

Any questions? Contact the Waukee Area Arts Council at 515-402-7870.