(Iowa Insurance Division, Des Moines) – A recent LendingTree survey found nearly half of the 2,000 consumers surveyed are dreading the holidays due to the financial costs.  There are ways to reduce the financial stress of the holidays and purchase gifts that promote financial wellness.

• Start with creating a budget for all your holiday expenses such as gas, food, decor, holiday cards, and travel.  Include a predetermined monetary amount for each person on your gift-giving list.  Sticking to a budget will prevent you from spending more than you can afford.
• Consider using a cashback credit card or other similar rewards offer, but only if you can use credit responsibly and can pay off the balance in full.
• If using credit cards is a struggle, consider using cash for all purchases and next year begin saving year-round. You may also want to consider a prepaid card to help you stick within your budget.
• Credit cards provide protections that may not be available with debit cards.

• When shopping online protect yourself and your money by keeping your phone or computer updated and having unique usernames and passwords for each site.
• Avoid using free wifi and unsecured connections to make financial transactions.
• Beware of phishing, which is when a scammer sends an email that appears to be from a legit company in an attempt to obtain your personal information.  If you receive an email from a retailer with a special sale offer, go to a new browser and type in the website URL to guarantee you are visiting the correct site.
• Watch for grammatical errors, misspelled or extra words or numbers in a web address which may signal a scam.
• Before doing business with a new company, read customer reviews and search the business name followed by the word “scam”.  Also, be aware if there is a limited amount of contact information on the website.
• Monitor your credit cards and bank statements so you may report any suspicious activity immediately.

If you need gift ideas this year, consider these financial gifts:

• Donate to a loved one’s favorite charity and inquire with your tax advisor to see if the donation is tax-deductible.
• Purchase stock they will recognize and have an interest in.
• Contribute to a 529 plan.
• Contribute to the IRA of an eligible loved one with earned income.
• Give the gift of cash and provide ideas on how to grow the money in a CD or investment account.  Save 4 Later Iowa provides financial education for free.
• Pay for a visit to a licensed financial advisor.
• Give the gift of financial learning with a book about finances.
• Purchase a savings bond for your loved one.

If you purchase or receive gifts such as jewelry, art, or collectibles make sure they are properly insured by contacting your licensed insurance agent to discuss if your new possession should be insured with a rider to your homeowners or renters policy. If you have leftover money in your budget, give yourself a gift by placing it in your IRA, emergency fund, or that holiday spending account for next year.

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowans started decorating their houses for Christmas back before Halloween this pandemic year, but many others are just getting around to decking the halls. Andrea Vaspis, public education director for the National Fire Protection Association, says those colorful lights can be a beautiful accent to your house, but they can also pose a serious fire hazard. “When you’re going to be decorating outside, make sure the lights that you use are approved by a testing laboratory and that they’re rated for outdoor use,” Vaspis says. “That is really critical.” Putting lights outside that are supposed to be for indoor use only could quickly lead to an electrical short — and a fire.

If you’re trying to obtain a Clark Griswold-level of outdoor decoration perfection, she warns, it can be easy to overdo it. “A general rule of thumb is to not plug in more than three strands at a time, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the box,” Vaspis says. “If you’re opening your tub of old lights and trying to pull them out and see what you have and if anything is frayed or old, it’s time to get rid of it.” For many Iowans, it’s simply not the holidays if the fragrence of fresh pine isn’t wafting throughout the house, but if you have a “real” tree, it’s important that your electric lights are safe.

Example of LED Christmas lights

“For the indoor lighting, make sure that what you’re using is not overloaded in a circuit with a number of other items,” Vaspis says. “Make sure that if you’re putting those lights on a Christmas tree, that the Christmas tree is in good shape, that it’s watered so that the lighting doesn’t cause a fire.” An association study finds electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two of every five (44%) home Christmas tree fires.

Des Moines, Iowa (KCCI) — The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa continues to climb. The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Wednesday) reported 721 patients hospitalized with the virus, up from 665 at last report on Monday. Of those hospitalized with the virus, 75.7% are unvaccinated, while 77.9% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

IDPH also reported 91 additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 7,445 since the start of the pandemic. The additional deaths were reported between Sept. 17 and Nov. 24. There were 8,221 positive tests reported in the last seven days, up from 7,952 reported on Monday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate climbed from 10.8% to 11.2% since Monday.

The number of long-term care facilities reporting outbreaks dropped from 20 to 19.

(Radio Iowa) – A ten year old Le Mars boy died at the hospital after being hit by a car while riding his bike. The accident happened at about 5:12 Tuesday afternoon on Business Highway 75. The accident report says the ten year old, identified as Elijah Peters, was going westbound crossing the street riding his bicycle when he was struck by a Toyota Corolla going northbound and driven by 21-year-old Diego Gomez also of Le Mars. Grief counselors have been assigned to the Le Mars elementary schools.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session this (Wednesday) morning. During their session, the Board acknowledged receipt of a Manure Management Plan Update from Martin Pork Production out of Afton, to spread manure in the southeast portion of Adair County. They also accepted “with regret,” the resignation of the current Harrison Township Clerk, and they appointed Molly Dolch to take over the position.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors heard from Bryan Belden and Ashraf “Ash” Ashour – Administrator, with the City of Stuart, with regard to a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Extension. Belden explained the “geography” and the “boundaries” stay the same, it’s just a renewal (of the LOST/TIF).

The current agreement is in effect until June 30, 2023. Any improvements have to stay within the TIF area. Supervisor John Twombly and Board Chair Steve Shelley said while they have no issue with extending the agreement, both would like to have the County Attorney look it over, to make sure “the wording is satisfactory,” according the Shelley. The rest of the Board agreed.

And, County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported on Secondary Roads Department activities. He mentioned Gus Construction is working on the Lake Road project.