September marks the beginning of Fall! With so many exciting things to look forward to, Security State Bank is here to help you make the most of this Autumn month!
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Iowa vs. Iowa State by the Numbers
The Cy-Hawk Series is the epitome of a college rivalry, this weekend the Hawks and the Cyclones will compete in the most publicized game in the state. Each year this event is sold out, and Saturday will be no different. Hosted by the University of Iowa, Kinnick Stadium will be filled with cheers as the game begins at 6:30 PM Saturday evening.
Every year the trophy travels back and forth between the two schools, and with only one game played this season, there’s no knowing which team will come out on top! Here are the predicted advantages for this weekend’s game, courtesy of Security State Bank:
Coaching: University of Iowa coach, Kirk Ferentz returns from last year, conquering the cyclones (31-17.) A leader in Iowa City, this coach knows his players, knows his competition, and is ready to guide his team to another win for the Hawks. Unfortunately for Iowa State’s new coach Matt Campbell, this long awaited rivalry doesn’t come with an instruction book.
Offense: University of Iowa is a powerhouse when it comes to moving the ball downfield. With players like Wadley, Vandeberg, and Bethard, this year’s Hawkeyes are likely to put a large margin of points between them and their Cyclone competitors.
Defense: University of Iowa will be more secure going into the start of the game. During their last game against Miami, their defensive line-up completed three sacks and recovered three fumbles before clinching the win of (45-21.)
Odds: The current forecast is that the Hawkeyes will defeat the Cyclones (31-3.)
We’ve looked at the stats, and seen the line-ups. While Iowa does seem to have the upper hand, Iowa State has been known to find victory while in on the road for the series. Only time will tell which one of these teams will gain bragging rights for the upcoming year. No matter if you’ll be donning black and gold, or cardinal and gold, try these top spots to watch the game in either city:
Iowa City – Filled with bars, and great food, the establishment best known on game day is Brother’s Bar. Boasting delectable drink specials, and a full menu from the kitchen, this classic atmosphere creates the perfect environment while cheering on your Hawkeyes. After the game be sure to stop by Mesa and grab a slice of their September special, Salami Mozzarella!
Ames – A hometown community, this city is full of vibrant student life. Join the fun and make your way to Es Tas Bar and Grill and start singing some Sweet Caroline while chowing down on some killer tacos! If the Cyclones come back to win the game, you won’t want to miss a celebratory Super Dog on Welch Ave – it’s only a block away!
Wherever you watch, you’ll be joining hundreds of thousands of Iowans. Kinnick Stadium alone will hold over 70,000 students, alumni, and fans for the big game. Iowa City will easily welcome well over 100,000 spectators this weekend! Be sure you arrive as early as possible to reserve your spot for this highly anticipated rivalry.
Do you think the Hawkeyes will dominate Iowa State for the second year in a row, or do you think the Cyclones will prove themselves as an underdog and steal the win from Iowa? Tell us which team you think will win by commenting on our Facebook page!
Save $3,500 this Year by Removing These 6 Things
Saving money is no easy task! Only after dedication and determination, can you look successfully into your account to see the difference saving can make. At Security State Bank we’re excited to help you achieve your financial goals, and we can’t wait to get started! If you’re looking to tuck some funds away for an emergency savings, or vacation fund, these six tips can help you accumulate $3,500 in savings over the course of the next year.
- $720: Cut the cable – at $60+ each month this common expense eat up your budget in a hurry!
- $1400: Brew your own java – instead of grabbing a latte on your way to work make your own cup of joe and save that extra $4/day.
- $600: Plan Your Meals – instead of playing by ear each night for dinner, make a dedicated meal plan each week and stick to it. This will help cut costs on eating out and unused groceries. Remove one dining out meal each month and see the difference this can make!
- $468: Workout at home – the average gym membership runs $39/month which over the course of the year can add up quick. Try online workout videos and create a routine which uses various household items.
- $312: Pack your lunch – With most quick lunches running about $10/each, sneaking away for lunch could be costing you! Try packing a lunch from home to avoid these expensive dining options. Changing just three lunches each month could save you more than three-hundred dollars!
Learn how to open up your ideal savings account at Security State Bank to get started on your savings dreams today!
What Your Teen Needs to Know About Money Management
Throughout their teenage years, your children will begin to grow their personal money management style. Offer them some assistance by offering these four financial lessons from Security State Bank.
Securing Their First Job
No matter if it’s babysitting, lifeguarding, or bagging groceries, there are plenty of employment options for eager high school students. These opportunities typically start at minimum wage with zero benefits, but offer a foundation of experience and learning. Talk with your son or daughter, and help them select positions to apply for that resonate with them. Resources such as the Chamber of Commerce often list local job openings, and are a good place to comb for recent availabilities.
Managing Money
The younger you begin various habits, the better they stick with you. Teach your children the positive effect proper money management can have on their pocketbook. Start by opening both a savings and a checking account for your teen. Each pay period, help them figure ten percent of their earnings to put into their savings. You can also work with them one-on-one each month to help balance their checkbook and plan for any large expenditures.
Saving for College
Secondary education isn’t cheap. If your son or daughter plans on attending a college or trade school, the time to start saving is now! Work with your future student to determine an educational budget, providing an estimate of upcoming expenses. Once you know the amount needed you can set savings goals for both you and your teen to start tucking money away. The sooner you begin your savings journey the smoother the road will be to your target amount.
Making Payments
Whether it’s purchasing their first car or simply covering the cost of meals at school, learning how to maintain a payment plan is an important life lesson. Explain your personal bill paying system to your teen and see how they can tailor it to their needs. Once they have a grasp on the system itself, gradually add payments to your child’s list of responsibilities, even if you add the money to their account. This will help them learn to keep an updated payment calendar before they graduate high school.
Money management is a continual learning process. There are always new techniques or tricks to better arrange your finances. Don’t stop honing your teen’s money management after these four lessons – stop by Security State Bank and see how you can keep growing your family’s financial skills today!
Iowa State Fair DO’s and DON’TS
The fair is coming the fair is coming! Starting August 5, swarms of eager Iowans will descend upon the city of Des Moines for the annual Iowa State Fair. This long awaited tradition is a culmination of the year’s best culinary, entertainment, and educational endeavors. This fair season take note of these key activities to try, along with the top things to avoid, courtesy of Security State Bank.
This year be sure you DO:
- Sample the various food offerings throughout the fair including the famous Hot Beef Sundae, Pork Chop on a Stick, Classic Lemonade, and exciting NEW treats!
- Watch family fun competitions encompassing everything from Mutton Bustin’ to Diaper Derbies. Join the fun and sign up for the event that plays best to your strengths.
- Walk through the various livestock and produce areas to see the biggest and best of what Iowa farmers have produced. Between the biggest bull and largest pumpkin contest, you’ll be surprised at what Iowa farmers can do!
- Help you children understand the importance of agriculture by visiting Little Hands on the Farm in the Kid’s Zone! This interactive experience will teach them the various chores farmers complete on a day-to-day basis.
- Catch a once in a lifetime show at in the fair’s Grandstand Arena. With artists like Meghan Trainor, Jason Derulo, KISS, and Lady Antebellum, this year’s line-up will be a winner!
This year be sure you DON’T:
- Miss the butter cow and other dairy made sculptures. This unique Iowa tradition immortalizes various pop icons each and every year! Be sure you and your family stop to take a look!
- Get lost! Check out the site’s mobile friendly map to help navigate your way across the busy fairgrounds. You can find the nearest bathroom on here too!
- Leave your child unattended. With so much to do and see, make sure your entire family is with you while you venture from place to place. The fairground offers strollers and wagons to rent inside Grand Avenue Gate #11 and Gate #15.
- Forget to drink water and wear sunscreen. Since most of the exciting fair activities are outdoors, protect yourself and your family by being proactively prepared.
- MISS THE FAIR. Whether it’s been five days or five years since you’ve been down to the State Fair, be a part of the action this year in Des Moines and come by! With so many incredible people, entertainment, and food, this is one annual event you won’t want to miss!
During your trip to the Iowa State Fair, your account is never too far away. Set-up your online banking experience before you go for instant access to monitoring and managing your personal finances. Stop by the bank and get started today!
Knee High by the Fourth of July: Sweet Corn Recipes
Summertime and sweet corn go hand-in-hand, and this savory treat is one of the highlights of every summer meal! As the old saying goes, sweet corn is growing well when it reaches knee high by the fourth of July. It’s past the 4th and this year’s crop is already well past the shoulder! Make the most of this season’s bounty and try some exciting new takes on this well-loved classic, courtesy of Security State Bank!
Fresh Corn Salsa: This delicious condiment is great for your next Taco night, or just as an afternoon snack. Both healthy and delicious, this recipe will have your family asking for more!
Jalapno Popper Salad:This new twist on a classic will have your taste buds tingling. Corn paired with bacon, cheese, and diced peppers is the perfect combination for your next family gathering!
Creamed Corn: Every Midwestern family has their own version of this timely classic. This new spin takes the hassle out of cooking with a convenient slow cooker preparation.
Mexican Street Corn:This zingy recipe offers an exciting new option for both grilled and boiled corn on the cob. With lime, salt, and mayo this delectable dish is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Sweet Corn Fritters:These crispy nuggets are filled to the brim with delectable sweet corn! Make them as a side or as a snack, but always pair with a generous helping of ranch dressing.
Corn Chowder:This delightfully simple recipe is full of classic seasonal ingredients. This is a great recipe to make now and freeze for easy dishes during the winter.
Sweet Corn Spoonbread: A simple pour, dump, and cook recipe, this family favorite it sure to encourage second helpings. With three different preparations of corn, your family will have their fill of the season in this one delicious dish.
Cachapas: These Venezuelan bites pack a punch! Made with bites of sweet corn, these pancakes are extra tasty! The best part about these is you can fill them with whatever you like, beef, chicken, pork, cheese, you name it!
No matter if you’ve been cooking corn for 20 years, or 20 minutes, there are always fun new ideas to try in the kitchen! Try these tasteful new recipes and share your experience with us on our Facebook page. We can’t wait to see your results!
Iowa Hay by Numbers
Agriculture is the back bone of Iowa. Made up of honest, hard-working men and women, the farmers of today have incredible challenges to overcome. Luckily 2016 is predicted to sustain plenty of rain and sun in these beginning summer months. Lookout this season for growing hay and alfalfa as the temperatures continue to climb!
With over 3.9 million cattle, and 175,000 sheep in the state of Iowa, there’s a lot of food that needs to be grown. Hay is eaten by both cattle and sheep, in addition to the state’s equestrian population. This vital nutrient is constant dietary staple for the majority of Iowa livestock, but how much does it take?
The average farm in the state of Iowa is approximately 345 acres. If a farm this size grew only hay, they would yield approximately 1,725,000 pounds of hay per year, with two cuttings. Considering these figures, the average Iowa farmer can feed 236 horses, 196 cattle, or 945 sheep with their crop each year!
This summer, as you pass by fields of hay and alfalfa, think about all that can be accomplished with these important plants. Check out these important hay facts and see what you learn:
- Hay is sold by the pound, and typically comes in three sizes; round bales, square bales, and small square bales.
- Harvesting hay is a three part process that consists of mowing, raking, and baling the hay.
- Hay must be dried before baling, so an unexpected rain storm can throw off your timeline by days on end.
- Hay can be stored for six months to two years depending on moisture and other factors.
Whether you’re looking to finance land, equipment, or real estate, Security State Bank is here for all your ag lending needs! Stop by and share a cup of coffee with us, and we’ll work to help you gain the financing you need.
Budgeting for Your Big Day
After the question has been popped, answered, and celebrated, it’s time to get into planning mode! Coordinating everything from table seating, gift registries, food, and more – putting together an exciting wedding celebration is no easy task! See how to get the most out of your big day, with these helpful budgeting tips courtesy of Security State Bank.
- Have the Money Talk with Your Family
One of the great parts about a wedding is that fact that it symbolizes two people, and two families, joining together. Likeminded, the budget is a joint effort as well. Sit down with your parents, spouse, and his/her parents to discuss what can be contributed by each. Once you have decided on a reasonable budget you can begin to look into venues and vendor options.
Be sure to also ask relatives with talents to help with various wedding activities. Whether its photography, floral arrangements, or simply singing during the ceremony, you’d be surprised how many talented family members are more than happy to help!
- Pick Three
The golden rule to budgeting the perfect wedding is to choose your top three priorities. Whether that’s the food, venue, photographer, or other wedding elements, choose which components you want to put the bulk of your budget in. After these top three that doesn’t mean you can’t spend money – it simply allows you the freedom to save money in the areas that aren’t the main focus.
For the average wedding the top three expenses are the venue, dining, and entertainment, followed closely by the photographer, floral arrangements, and wedding dress.
- Staying Under Budget
Like any good budget, staying on top of your numbers is a huge advantage! Be sure to keep all your receipts associated with the event to help track expenses and create a paper trail with your various vendors. Just like your personal finances, it’s a good idea to leave some cushion for the unexpected. Whatever your overall budget is for the event, be sure to leave 5% of it unused for various unplanned changes. This way if extra flowers or drinks are needed, the money is already set aside, headache free!
Many couples are opting to use apps like HoneyFund to take the expense of a honeymoon out of their budget. With apps like this relatives and guests are able to choose an item on your honeymoon wish list to give instead of a traditionally wrapped present.
Setting the date is simply the start of your wedding planning adventure! If you need help structuring your big day’s budget, stop by Security State Bank or give us a call at (319) 334-7035, we’d love to help make your wedding a success!
The First Time Home Buyers Guide to Owning a Home
The journey to becoming a first time owner is an exciting and personal process. With questions ranging from price, commodities, to neighborhoods and more, the task of finding your ideal property can seem daunting. At Security State Bank we want to help you make the most of your home buying experience with our guided route to home ownership. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view as we take you step by step through the first time home buying process.
- Assess your personal finances. Take a good hard look at your current sources of income, in addition to the underlying expenses you have each month. Determine if your funds can support the cost of a monthly mortgage, property taxes, home insurance, and all the other associated costs of home ownership.
- Mortgage Pre-Approval. Once you’ve decided to make the jump into home ownership it’s time to determine what your ideal purchase price will look like. Work with your mortgage lender to decide on the best price range for you and your family. After determining your financing needs together, the bank will evaluate your credit history award you with a pre-approval letter for the amount they will agree to finance.
- Find “The House.” Here comes the fun part – house hunting! Pair up with a reputable realtor from the area to look at houses that do not exceed the approved purchase price. You may look at six homes, or thirteen, but once you find the right property you’ll know it’s the one!
- Get an approved offer. After touring the property and checking for any major repairs, speak with your realtor about putting in an offer on the house at price within your budget. The seller may counter with a different price point, and negotiations for the offer can be discussed with your realtor. When you and the seller have agreed to a purchase price and a finalized offer is signed you officially have an accepted offer to purchase your future home!
- Speak with your mortgage lender. Now that you’ve found your new place, your mortgage lender can gather accurate tax information and further specifics for your mortgage financing. Reach out to confirm the terms of the loan prior to closing to help ensure a smooth transition.
- Home Inspection. Since you and the buyer now have an accepted agreement it’s time to fully inspect the property you intend on buying. Speak with your realtor for recommended home inspectors in the area, and set up a time when both you and the realtor can be present. The home inspector will detail notes about the property concerning safety hazards and other important repairs that be taken care of at the sellers expense.
- Close the offer. After all the paperwork is finalized, and you complete the final walk through of the home, it’s finally time receive your mortgage financing and close the home offer.
- The House is yours. All your hard work has paid off and you are now a home owner! Celebrate this monumental achievement by inviting family and friends over for a moving or house warming party!
Whether you’re looking for a farmhouse in the country, new construction in your dream location, or your happy hideaway in town, Security State Bank can help you with all your financing needs. Stop by the bank or give us a call at (319) 334-7035 and get started on your home buying journey today!
Ultimate Guide to Garage and Yard Sales
With pockets full of dollar bills and a list of dream finds in hand, serious garage sale goers are perking up for the upcoming season. Become a pro deal-spotter by harnessing some of their top tricks of the trade!
- Check for warranties: Even if they’re dinged or damaged, goods by brands like Craftsman and Chaco may offer lifetime warranties if you send them in for repair. Avoid: Electronic-based gadgets – everything from blenders to tablets – as they’re likely past warranty and cost more to repair than buy new.
- Snap up fun novelty items: Infrequently used finds like wedding accessories, costume sets, and kitchen appliances can be pricey when purchased brand new. You can buy these gently-used finds for a fraction of the original cost! Avoid: Holiday-themed wares that you’ll use once, store for the year, and toss out at your own yard sale.
- Think a few seasons ahead: A summer yard sale will be loaded with wintertime treasures. Scope out pricier outerwear like parkas and boots, while keeping your eye out for cross-country skis, durable metal shovels, and other seasonal goods marked at a steep discount. Avoid: Cold weather apparel worn close to the skin, such as hats and long underwear. Also, be wary of major items like snow blowers and snowmobiles, which may require costly repairs that outweigh the price of a newer model.
- Shop for the kids: When they’re set to outgrow clothes every few months, garage sales are a treasure trove of inexpensive apparel for infants through teens. Be on the lookout for limited-use clothing like costumes and formalwear to save big during special occasions. Avoid: Cribs and car seats which are frequently recalled, soft toys that can’t be easily washed or sterilized, and truly vintage toys which may pose the risk of lead-based paint.
- See Beyond the Paint: Furniture can be a phenomenal find if you’re willing to pin some extra effort. A new finish or a fresh coat of paint can make all the difference on wood & metal furniture. Avoid: Mattresses and upholstered items which may have unknown stains or trapped in odors.
Saving dollars here and there add up to big returns in the long run. For assistance creating a long-term savings plan, call us today to set up an appointment with one of our financial advisers.