The Core Values of Values Based Holding Corporation

By Wayne Johnson, MBA, CFP®, AEP®, CAP®, Financial Planner

On a day-to-day basis our firm is known as Syverson Strege. However, founders Johnne Syverson and David Strege chose a more inspirational name as the legal name of their firm when they formed the organization many years ago. The firm we know as Syverson Strege is legally named Values Based Holding Corporation. What makes values so important for a business, especially Syverson Strege?

Small Savers to Money Masters: Navigating the Path to Childhood Financial Literacy

by Jerin Young, CFP®, CKA®, Senior Associate Financial Planner 

Market Update

Chief Investment Officer Jason Gunkel shares his insights on what he feels is propping up the stock market and economy, as well as what direction the markets may take in our Q3 Market Update video.

Financial Updates

Social Security announces 3.2% COLA

The Social Security Administration announced earlier this month that starting in January 2024, the average monthly Social Security check for retired workers will rise 3.2%, or $59, to $1,906. The annual increase is based on a Labor Department measure of what Americans paid for everyday items from July through September 2023 compared with a year ago. This is a much smaller cost-of-living adjustment than last year’s record 8.7% hike, reflecting a slowdown in inflation. If you have questions, please contact your planning team.

Inside Look

Meet Our Client Service Associates!

Whether you’ve been a Syverson Strege client for years, or are new to our firm, you have likely received an email or phone call from one of our Client Service Associates. Cameron Pietzsch and Nicole Tripp have both been with Syverson Strege since 2022. They help prepare client paperwork – including the initiation of DocuSign documents – assist with scheduling client meetings and provide support to our financial planning team in the development of comprehensive financial plans, so don’t be surprised if you get a call or email from them. We are thankful for them and the excellent client service they provide every day!

Challenges of Aging Luncheon Series

Our second Challenges of Aging event, held in September, focused on protecting your identity and avoiding scams. Senior Financial Planner David Strege partnered with Det. Gaby Gitzen from the West Des Moines Police Department to present tips on how to avoid becoming a target of one of these scams.

While our final event in the Challenges of Aging series for 2023 is full, stay tuned for next year’s series event lineup!

Client Appreciation Event

Syverson Strege’s annual client appreciation event was held Sept. 28 at Glen Oaks Country Club. With a festive Hawaiian luau vibe, we hope you enjoyed mingling as much as we did. A big thank you to our clients for making it so easy to appreciate you!

We want to hear from you!

Ask our Managing Director Lance Gunkel, CFP®, CFA anything and we will share his responses in an upcoming post. Topics can range from financial planning and investment questions to the more day-to-day questions you have about how Lance got to this point in his career, what he enjoys in his free time, etc. Email your questions to Deb Longseth at dlongseth@onlyworkforyou.com

Events

Schwab Overview: What Does an Investment Custodian Do and How Do We Work Together? 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14. This event will be held virtually via Zoom. The event is free, but registration is required. Register here, or contact Deb Longseth at (515) 225-6000 or dlongseth@onlyworkforyou.com.

It's a Wrap 

Date: Friday, Dec. 15

Time: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Location: Syverson Strege office

Join us for our 2^nd Annual “It’s a Wrap!” gift wrapping event at Syverson Strege.

• Bring your holiday gifts to be wrapped (please bring your gifts already boxed and ready to wrap), and Syverson Strege employees will wrap your gifts!
• Refreshments will be served.
• This free event is for clients only.

If you don’t have gifts to wrap, stop by anyway to join in the holiday cheer! Please let us know you are coming by contacting Deb Longseth at (515) 225-6000 or dlongseth@onlyworkforyou.com.

Philanthropy

Wildwood Hills Ranch

“Team Awesome” consisting of David Strege, Wayne Johnson, Tracy White, Nicole Tripp, Bobby Daniels and Taylor Daniels recently competed in Wildwood Hills Ranch’s Wild Boar Challenge for Charity. This off-road obstacle course supports Wildwood Hills Ranch, which provides life-changing educational programming, leadership development, job skill training and equine therapy for youth and at-risk veterans in need. Syverson Strege is honored to be able to support worthy causes like Wildwood Hills Ranch through corporate sponsorship dollars, volunteer opportunities and participation in challenging events such as this one.

Out and About

Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council Annual Conference

Wayne Johnson, Bobby Daniels and Christina Gayman attended the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council (MIPGC) annual conference earlier this month where Syverson Strege served as a sponsor. Session speakers and topics were impactful and educational, and provided tips on how to make the most of a planned gift for both the donor and the benefiting organization.