Power Up, Social Security and Giving Back

In today’s society, it seems that we’re all jetting from one event to the next, getting involved with our community and figuring out where we can make a difference. With all this running around, though, where does one find the time to sit down and plan healthy meals — to get that fuel for all of our activities?

Morning Meet-up

Sometimes, it’s a challenge to do so. Fortunately, places like The Power Station are here to help. Located in the Historic East Village, this wellness shop abides by the philosophy that, “around here, the only person who matters is YOU.” Wellness coaches at The Power Station can help you design a personal wellness plan to meet your lifestyle and your goals.

Last Friday morning, the Young Professionals Connection (YPC) Impact Downtown Committee hosted its Monthly Meetup at The Power Station. Impact Downtown Chair Shane Hefty received a free wellness assessment and learned about key vitals for his wellness. You can do the same by simply stopping into The Power Station; be sure to come hungry, as they’ll give you one of their delicious smoothies. Speaking of smoothies, we also had the chance to sample these nutritious meal replacements along with aloe shots and tea on Friday. I can attest to their benefit, as I was still feeling more energetic even a few hours later.

Bethany Wilcoxon
YPC member

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Civic Café Event

When I think of social security two things come to mind: one, it comes out of each paycheck; and two, will it be around when I’m ready to retire? When I heard that the YPC was hosting a Civic Café on Social Security I thought, who would want to attend that? Adults my age don’t care about this topic. But since it was so close to my office, I went to see if I could learn something new. 

Personally, retirement is very important to me, and I’ve had retirement accounts since I started working and Social Security has never been a part of my goals.  While none of the information provided was new to me, it was very beneficial to anyone not preparing for the future. If you are one of these people, here are five questions you should ask yourself:

1. What is preventing you from forming a retirement plan?
2. Are you adding your pay raises to a retirement account?
3. Do you know the difference between 401k, IRA, Roth-IRA, CD, and pension plans?
4. If you have a retirement account, how much are you saving and is it enough to prepare you for AT LEAST 30 years of retirement? (Two vacations a year add up fast!)
5. Emergency funds? No, not a credit card. Actual cash in a savings account. 
6. Do you want to be the senior citizen working the front counter of a fast food restaurant, department store, or security desk?

From a young age we were all taught to prepare for the future. No one wants to be the grasshopper out in the cold wishing he would have stored food. Everyone wanted to be the ant (or squirrel depending on the version) that formed a plan, worked hard and enjoyed the benefit of a warm house stocked with food all winter long. 

If you need to talk to a financial planner about retiring, David Brazen from Ameriprise Financial gave a great overview about forming a plan. YPC also has a number of great financial planners and advisers so I strongly suggest you go to any committee meeting, social event, or Lunch and Learn and connect with these people. Don’t worry, they are not pushy and will not force you into something you don’t want to do, but most of them are willing to give you some form of advice on where to start and what you can do right now to prepare for the future. 

Laverne Greenfield
YPC Student Coordinator

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Giving Back

YPC President Mike Banasiak and Professional Development Chair Jaimie Miller stopped by the Mentor Iowa board meeting to present Executive Director Marty Lester with a check for more than $500. The money was raised at the YPC Mentors & Mulligans event, a golf outing where 30 YPs were able to connect with 10 area leaders and mentors.