Winning in a baseball game or in your retirement savings is no easy feat! It takes dedication and determination to seal the win. As you begin to reexamine your retirement plan try these key pointers from Heartland Bank to coach you along the way!

Load the Bases

If you have available resources, make sure you’re using them! Just as a batter is primed to score with his bases covered in players, so are you by capitalizing on your 401(k), IRA, personal savings, and structured investing plan. Score extra points by taking advantage of your company’s 401(k) which matches your monthly contributions up to a certain percentage of your salary. Those are free dollars to aim towards your retirement!

Pitch a No Hitter

Don’t let the opposing team get ahead; work to pitch a no hitter by setting up your emergency savings fund. Instead of walking any unexpected expenses, such as auto repairs or medical bills, send those players back to the dugout with an added savings curve ball. You’ll be protecting your savings and racking up points, while staking your claim to your space in the hall of fame.

Build a Winning Team

Just as you would compile your fantasy team around leading scorers and left handed pitchers, the same applies to your financial team! At Heartland Bank we have a well-rounded lineup of personal bankers, wealth advisers, and lenders to help you make it to the big leagues.

Play Extra Innings

Even in retirement, there’s no rule against a little over time! Take up a part or full-time job you enjoy to cover living expenses before you have to dip into your savings account. You and your spouse could land a home run in the bottom of the 10th with some additional income at the start of your retirement.
No matter if you’re swinging for the fences or just trying to get on base, our experienced team at Heartland Bank can help craft a game plan for your retirement! Give us a call at (515) 352-3181 or stop by the bank today!

When it comes to your spending habits, your age may influence your decisions more than you think! Depending on your generation, there may be some key patterns that differentiate you from your older and younger counterparts. Discover your key financial traits with this helpful guide courtesy of Heartland Bank.

Baby Boomers

Typically classified as the savers of the modern age, many of those age 51-70 are known for tucking away funds as quickly as they can accumulate them. Many baby boomers were affected by both the Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations and hold strong sense of mistrust of the system. There are many in this generation who choose savings options outside of financial institutions. This large generation of approximately 70 million people, is currently in the process leaving the workforce and entering retirement. The most important item on their financial agenda is to save and secure funds for the decades of life they will enjoy outside nine to five.

Generation X

Often overshadowed by the large baby boomers ahead of them, generation X’ers tend to be strong willed and decisive, fighting for their share of the financial pie. Having been one of the first generations to experience divorce as a normal occurrence, many of those adults age 40-50 continue to look out for their individual financial wellbeing through strictly defensive tactics. Boasting on the highest education rates, this group makes strategic savings plans, constantly preparing for the ball to drop. They are best known for their cautious optimism and lofty financial goals.

Millennials

The current generation of twenty and thirtysomethings, were shaped by a highly digital world. Growing up in the age of computers and terrorism, these young adults believe that the typical American dream, may be slightly skewed. In many areas, home and car ownership is on the decline as more and more millennials strive to gain experiences over material possessions. Influenced by their parental counterparts, it is common to see this generation shying away from long term debt after seeing their parents succumb to missed payments and foreclosures during the 2008 economic crash. Couple that cautious initiative with crippling student loans and added inflation, where now today many college graduates are working multiple jobs to simply make ends meet.

Generation Z

The up-and-coming generation of the century, this group is the first age demographic to grow up completely immersed in digital technology. The days of cell phones and computers encompassed their childhood, and many of those age 0-20 have never known life without the digital realm. Still relatively young, these Gen Z’s take diversification to the next level, not trusting too much in any one entity. With advancing diagnostic systems this generation takes time and consideration into account before making any major life decision. As this generation ages, more experiences and choices will continue to shape their financial style.

No matter what generation you are a part of, there are a variety of ways you can improve your financial habits. Speak with one of our experienced personal bankers today, and we’ll show you how to get started!

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 Heartland 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 Heartland Bank and see how you can keep growing your family’s financial skills today!

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 Heartland Bank.

This year be sure you DO:

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. 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!
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!