Video

Farm Family

Succession Planning

We have had the privilege of working with many farm/ag families over the past 27 years, and we always stress the importance of succession planning. The Bruch Farms family was gracious enough to share their experience with Syverson Strege and explain what a succession plan has achieved for their multi-generational family farm. You can watch the full video here. 

Podcast

What is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?

What is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) and how can it help you achieve your charitable goals? In today’s Finance Moment Podcast, Syverson Strege Financial Planner Ben Geiger shares some of the key benefits of a DAF to help you determine whether one might be a good tool to add to your charitable giving toolbox. You can listen to the full episode here.

In The News

With the greatest transfer of wealth (to the tune of more than $50 trillion) happening over the next 20 years, many Baby Boomers are considering giving inheritance while they are alive vs. after death. Syverson Strege co-founder Johnne Syverson recently contributed to a Kiplinger article that examines the different aspects of this topic. Read the full article here. 

Property Tax Reminder

If you live in Iowa and pay your property taxes in installments, the next property tax payment deadline is Sept. 30. You can check the status of your property taxes at www.iowatreasurers.org. Reminder: If you or your escrow company has already paid your property taxes, this deadline does not apply to you.

Protect Yourself Against Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common forms of fraud where criminals try to “bait” users into giving them valuable personal information by tricking them. They do this by sending communications that appear to be from a trustworthy source to fool recipients into divulging personal information or otherwise cause harm. In some cases, phishing emails include links or attachments. If recipients click on these links or open the attachments, it may install viruses or malware that can allow unauthorized access or cause damage to your computer. Criminals often imitate emails that appear to be from financial institutions, such as Schwab.

Schwab will not:

• Ask you to disclose your Visa debit card PIN.
• Ask you to disclose your Schwab.com username
• and password (aside from logging in to Schwab.com).
• Ask you to provide personal information by email.

If you’re ever unsure that a call, text, or email is from Schwab, contact your

Syverson Strege planner team at (515) 225-6000. 

Events

• Oct. 3: Client Appreciation Event @ Rewind Hotel in West Des Moines; 4:30-7:30 p.m. (Heavy appetizers and beverages will be provided.) We will also hold a pumpkin decorating contest as part of this year’s event for those who would like to participate! First, second and third place will receive a prize. Bring your creation with you and judging will take place at 6:30 p.m. 
• Oct. 10: “The 2024 Election: How It Could Affect the Markets and Your Portfolio” virtual-only event, Noon-1 p.m. Presented by Dr. Apollo Lupescu, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors and Jason Gunkel, Chief Investment Officer at Syverson Strege. Register here.

• Oct. 23: “Protect Yourself by Being Cybersmart” workshop, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Syverson Strege office. Virtual option available via Zoom. Lunch will be provided for those attending in person. Register here. 
• Oct. 24: Southeast Iowa Client Appreciation Event, 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Sonny’s Other Side, West Point, Iowa.
• Nov. 8: “Impactful Giving” workshop, 9-11 a.m. at the Syverson Strege office. Virtual option available via Zoom. Brunch will be provided for those attending in person. Register here. 
• Dec. 13: It’s a Wrap!, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Syverson Strege office. Free gift-wrapping event for clients. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP for these events to Deb Longseth at (515) 225-6000 or

dlongseth@onlyworkforyou.com

Inside Look

New Team Member

We want to extend a warm welcome to Syverson Strege’s newest associate financial planner Damian Beard! Damian joins the team as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and has his Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Damian has a diverse work background in the financial services industry, including roles as a mortgage loan officer and a financial advisor. Having previously worked for two of the largest U.S. banks and the largest Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Damian loves being a part of a local firm family where he can blend his passion for finance with helping clients achieve their financial goals.

He is an Eastern New Mexico University graduate and father of two. To learn more about Damian, click here. 

Philanthropy

DMARC CyHawk Food Drive

The Syverson Strege team continued their Iowa/Iowa State food donation drive tradition for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) this year by once again splitting the office into two teams and assigning points to the items donated. The two teams combined donated a total of 195 food and personal care items! We’re proud to play a part in helping end food insecurity in our community.

Iowa Food Bank BackPack Program™ Donation

We recently had the opportunity to donate to the Food Bank of Iowa's BackPack Program™ to help support the quest to end food insecurity in our community. Proper nutrition helps children succeed in school, and the BackPack Program™ discreetly provides weekend food for thousands of elementary school children every Friday.