dsmWealth December 17, 2020

As they ambled along a walking path in Adel, residents expressed an interest in having some lighting there, so they could see better during early morning and evening hours. Along came Kading Properties, which volunteered to fund the installation of lights. In Osceola, residents were searching for a backer of a weekly kids’ night at the local swimming pool. Kading pitched in to fund that, as well. They even threw in free beach balls for the kids.

Call it corporate philanthropy, but with a personal, down-home twist. The Urbandale real estate developer collaborates with each of the 20 communities where it builds and leases housing units to discover ways to improve living experiences.

Last spring, as the pandemic began to tighten its grip on Iowa, Kading ordered meals for all 1,700 people who lease its apartments and townhomes. And the company made sure to buy all the meals from local vendors.

“We wanted to relieve some stress and support local businesses,” said Karie Ramsey, CEO of Kading. The company takes its commitment to food seriously – whenever it builds a new house or project, it feeds all of its construction workers every day they are on the job. That adds up to thousands of meals each year, all spent with local eateries.

Rick Kading launched the business in 1976, aiming to fill what he perceived to be a gap in affordable, leased housing for workers. At first he bought and refurbished homes. These days, the company typically buys land and then builds its own homes; it currently owns 1,700 “front doors,” said Ramsey, including in Boone, Perry, Osceola and Grinnell.

In each town where there is a chamber of commerce, Kading joins it. A company staffer serves as a liaison with each chamber, and between that and tenant feedback, Kading learns of projects it can participate in.

In Osceola, where Kading owns and leases 190 properties (there are 1,900 households in town, so they have a major presence) the company sponsors the farmers market and the annual Easter egg hunt. It has sponsored some “Dutch-themed” projects in Pella, and an art sculpture in Pleasant Hill. The company tries to buy into local school calendars and support parent-teacher organizations in its communities. Pretty simple stuff, some of this. Heartfelt, too, and all aimed at what Ramsey said is “doing something we feel the residents will benefit from.”

Toast to Better Times Ahead With These Bottles

BY STEVE DINNEN

What with all of the tough health, economic and social issues this year, maybe a nice bottle of Champagne shared with close friends and family will set a tone for better times ahead.

You might start with Veuve Clicquot Brut ($70) – commonly called "yellow label" to denote the color of the label. It’s the best-selling French Champagne in America and a favorite among Gateway Market customers, who also go for other French sparkling wines.

One of the more popular ones there is Vollereaux ($36). “That’s one I really enjoy,” said Nick Carstens, in the wine department. Other favorites include Moet & Chandon 2009 Extra Brut ($90.99), and Riunart Blanc de Blancs ($99.99), which is made 100% from chardonnay grapes. He added that Gateway’s best seller is Gruet ($16.99), which hails from New Mexico.

Gruet also is a hit at Ingersoll Wine & Spirits, said store executive Ben Jung. It's $15.99 there. Jung showcases some smaller, quality producers, such as Napa Valley’s Schramsberg, whose blanc de blanc President Nixon shared in his 1972 “Toast to Peace” with Chinese premier Zhou Enlai. Schramsberg's brut rose is $41.99.

Jung has on hand many large-format bottles, such as 1.5-liter magnums. He has these in vintages as well (not especially common) from high-end producers such as Bollinger ($199.99 for a 2011 brut) and Dom Perignon ($659 for a 2009).

“It kind of magnifies the occasion with something that’s a little more special,” he said of these big bottles. Plus, there’s plenty to share.

Max Out Your 401(k) by the End of December

BY JULIA GLUM FOR MONEY.COM

As the year winds down, it’s time to look to the future — the distant one, where you’re a carefree retiree kicking back on the beach with a margarita in hand.

Though that may still be a ways off, you can take action now to make sure you get there. Specifically, there are a handful of retirement moves you need to make before Dec. 31. Not only is this the perfect opportunity to make sure you’re on track to reach your goals, but there’s also a deadline you must meet.

“It’s always important to use this end-of-year milestone and take advantage of anything left that you can do in 2020 and set yourself up for 2021,” says Tyler End, a certified financial planner and founder of Retirable. >> READ MORE

10 Collectible Cars to Buy, Hold, Enjoy and Sell

BY JIM GORZELANY for FORBES.COM

Even in the midst of a pandemic, collectible car prices continue to boggle the mind and stagger the pocketbook. Mecum Auctions reports a 1941 Ford Custom pickup getting $206,250 at a recent auction, with a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette convertible going under the hammer for $242,000, and a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback selling for $209,000.

Of course, these treasured vintage rides were kept in or returned to pristine condition, but at that they brought in far more cash than they sold for in the first place. That ’62 Chevy Corvette that recently changed hands for the price of a condominium originally commanded around $4,000 when new.

As with any investment, the smart money gets in early, buys low and eventually sells high. Unlike stocks and bonds, however, there’s the bonus of actually being able to drive a vehicular asset in the meantime. If you’re looking to get some proverbial skin in the vintage car game, the experts at classic car insurer Hagerty have compiled its annual “Bull Market” list of the most desirable up-and-comers with values that are expected to appreciate over the coming 12 months and beyond. >> READ MORE