Money Talk_ Summer 2018

MoneyTalk Simply better banking. ®

Money News

An American Trust Publication

Summer 2018

Six Smart Money Moves for College Grads

M ore than 70 percent of college graduates began their career owing more than $37,000 in student loans in 2017. Considering the additional living expenses they’ll soon face, new college graduates would be wise to focus on their financial future right now. We’ve highlighted six smart financial decisions college graduates should consider to position themselves for financial success as they embark on their next phase of life. Living expenses add up quickly once you’re out on your own, and many young adults who didn’t plan ahead are delaying major milestones like getting married or buying a home because of their financial situation. The good news is that you can have a bright financial future if you think strategically about money right out of the gate. • Live within your means. Supporting yourself can be expensive, and you can quickly find yourself struggling financially if you don’t take time to create a budget. Calculate the amount of money you’re taking home after taxes, then figure out how much money you can afford to spend each month while contributing to your savings. Be sure to factor in recurring expenses such as student loans, monthly rent, utilities, groceries, etc. • Pay bills on time. Missed payments can hurt your credit history for up to seven years and can affect your ability to get loans, the interest rates you pay and your ability to get a job or rent an apartment. Consider setting up automatic payments for regular expenses like student loans, car payments and phone bills. Take advantage of any reminders or notification features. You can also contact creditors and lenders to request a different monthly due date.

• Avoid racking up too much debt. Understand the responsibilities and benefits of credit. Shop around for a card that best suits your needs, and spend only what you can afford to pay back. Credit is a great tool, but only if you use it responsibly. • Plan for retirement. It may seem odd since you’re just beginning your career, but now is the best time to start planning for your retirement. Contribute to retirement accounts like a Roth IRA or your employer’s 401(k), especially if there is a company match. Invest enough to qualify for your company’s full match – it’s free money that adds up to a significant chunk of change over the years. Automatic retirement contributions quickly become part of your financial lifestyle without having to think about it. • Prepare for emergencies. Hardships can happen in a split second. Start an emergency fund and do your best to set aside the equivalent of three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Start saving immediately, no matter how small the amount. Make saving a part of your life- style with automatic payroll deductions or automatic transfers from checking to savings. Put your tax refund toward saving instead of an impulse buy. • Get free help from your banker here at American Trust. Come in for a personalized financial checkup to help you identify and meet your financial goals. Take advantage of our free digital banking tools that let you check balances, pay bills, deposit checks, monitor transaction history and track your budget.

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Money Talk is published by American Trust and Savings Bank, Dubuque, Iowa, for use by our clients. Reproduction in whole or in parts is prohibited except b mechanical error by our sources, this publication does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information, and is not responsible for an Simply better banking. To report suspicion of fraud, theft, or harassment at American Trust anonymously go to: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/do

Special Events

T his special exhibition features fully built, life- size recreations of Leonardo’s own inventions, including early designs for the helicopter, tank, SCUBA, crane, clock, and submarine. Re-creations of his artworks will also be on display, including famous works like “The Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.” Guests will learn the complex beginnings and lifetime achievements of DaVinci through his DaVinci: The Exhibition National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

discoveries in art, engineering, flight, hydraulics, music, light, anatomy and more. DaVinci: The Exhibition runs through October 8. American Trust is proud to be the premier exhibit sponsor. To purchase tickets go to www.rivermuseum.com/plan- your-visit.

Team of Dreams Field of Dreams, Dyersville

A merican Trust is again sponsoring the Back Waters Stage at Q Casino. We hope to see you there! The following local and national acts will be performing: Rock the River at Q Casino August 6 Why Don’t We August 9 Seether with 10 Years and LTNT August 11 Eli Young Band with Southern Drawl Band and Cort Carpenter August 24 & 25 Summer’s Last Blast with the Spazmatics and Boy Band Review (and more!) August 31 Aaron Lewis with Jericho Woods and Noah Smith R elive your greatest memories of America’s favorite pastime as baseball legends come together on Sunday, September 2. From an autograph show to a celebrity softball game you can see your favorite players in action. Watch as the Field’s famous “Ghost Players” emerge from the corn and entertain the crowd.

Wrap up the weekend experiencing the story that started it all and watch the Field of Dreams on the very outfield where the Oscar-nominated movie was filmed. For ticket prices and further information on this event visit traveliowa.com.

Community Calendar American Trust is proud to be a sponsor of the following events:

Summer 2018

Asbury Music in the Park July 14 Asbury Park

Dubuque & All That Jazz! July 20 Town Clock Plaza

permission. Information has been obtained by this publication from sources believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human error or errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. The data within this edition was current at the time of publication. Find us online! ain/media/en/gui/37188/index.html.

At Your Service

Zach Althaus

Haley Jansen

Tammy Dupont

A merican Trust is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the annual IWLC Conference in Dubuque on October 16 at the Grand River Event Center. IWLC is the state’s premier leadership organization for women. This year’s speakers include: Selena Rezvani teaches women at all levels to negotiate like a boss. She also consults to employers on how to make work truly “work” for women, by architecting workplace culture assessments and research studies that illuminate working women’s experience. Shannon Hampsher is a senior manager at GoDaddy. Shannon will share how one of the worst reputed companies for women (think: SuperBowl) remade its culture in just five years. It’s a compelling story entitled “If GoDaddy can do it, anyone can.” A merican Trust values and rewards employees who go above and beyond in their jobs every day. Employees are nominated by other employees and a committee selects the Professional of the Month. At the end of the year, employees who have been chosen as Professional of the Month are eligible to be Professional of the Year. Professionals of the Month

Zach Althaus, Consumer/Business Loan Specialist at the Main Street office, was selected as Professional of the Month for March. Haley Jansen, Credit Analyst at the Main Street office, was selected for April, and Tammy Dupont, Financial Services Representative at the 32nd Street office, was selected for May. Congrats!

Iowa Women Lead Change Conference

As a businessman, educator and speaker, Stedman Graham presents, consults and conducts training with a variety of clients. His identity leadership programs are based on the philosophy that individuals hold the power to their educational, career and personal success or failure. Join us for an inspiring day of development. Tickets are $160 until August 30, and $185 thereafter. Registration is required and available at iwlcleads.org/ events/dubuque-conference.

Asbury 4730 Asbury Rd. Phone: 563.582.5556 Fax: 563.582.5276 Lobby & Drive-up M–F 8:30–5:30 Sat 9–12:00

Inside Hartig Drug 1600 University Ave. Phone: 563.584.1703 Fax: 563.584.1704 Lobby: M–F 9–5:30 Sat 9–12

Farley 400 First St. S Phone: 563.744.3380 Fax: 563.744.3071 Lobby: M–Th 8–4 F 8–5:30 Sat 8–11 West Des Moines 9350 University Ave. Suite 138 Phone: 515.283.3750 Fax: 515.987.7780 Lobby: M–F 8:30–5 Sat 9–12 Drive-up: M–F 8:30–5:30 Sat 9–12 Windsor Heights 7204 University Ave Phone: 515.274.0075 Fax: 515.274.0218 Lobby: M–F 8:30–5 Sat 9–12 Drive-up: M–F 8:30–5:30 Sat 9–12

Downtown Main 895 Main St. Phone: 563.582.1841 Fax: 563.583.5041 Lobby: M–F 8:30–5

Dyersville 301 First Ave. E Phone: 563.875.2491 Fax: 563.875.2495 Lobby: M–Th 8–4 F 8–5 Dyersville Hwy 136 1422 9th St. SE Phone: 563.875.2492 Fax: 563.875.2430 Lobby & Drive-up: M–Th 8:30–5:00 F 8:30–5:30 Sat 8–11

North 3250 Jackson St. Phone: 563.583.5755 Fax: 563.588.4735

Downtown 9th/Locust 913 Locust St. Phone: 563.582.1846 Fax: 563.583.7605 Lobby & Drive-up: M–F 8–5:30 West 280 Kennedy Rd. Phone: 563.583.5751 Fax: 563.583.5753 Lobby & Drive-up M–F 8:30–5:30 Sat 9–12:00

Lobby & Drive-up M–F 8:30–5:30

South 2600 Rockdale Rd. Phone: 563.583.5757 Fax: 563.588.1025

Lobby & Drive-up M–F 8:30–5:30

Hours & Locations