Happy Fourth, Ankeny

Good morning Ankeny! If you plan to grill burgers this weekend, allow me to suggest an innovation that will revolutionize your patties. It’s called a cheese melting dome and for $10, you can do it just like the restaurants. A small detail that makes a huge difference. Two other tips? You probably need more salt on the patties and 80/20 beef is the only option. ‘Merica.

Today’s digest will be short and sweet:

Lets get to it.

— Chase & Chance

You’ve saved $1.5 million. Now comes the real test.

Can it produce $10,000 a month, or will that pace drain your portfolio?

Most retirees do not get a clear answer until it is too late.

The issue is not just how much you have. It is whether your portfolio was built to pay you, not just grow.

That difference can determine whether your money lasts decades or starts breaking down early.

Sequence of returns, taxes on withdrawals, healthcare costs, and whether the 4% rule still applies all play a role.

Fiduciary advisors created a breakdown showing what drives sustainable income and why the same $1.5M can produce very different outcomes.

If you have $1M or more invested, do not guess.

See How Long My Money Lasts

Learn More

Good news, you can. It’s America’s Birthday. State law now requires all Iowa cities, including Ankeny, to allow consumer fireworks on July 3rd from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and July 4th from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. That's 13 hours of legal fireworks across two days. Do with that what you will. Check out the full list of rules here.

Before you swing by Casey's this Fourth of July weekend for drinks or that last-minute bag of ice, consider this: the Ankeny-based convenience chain just came off one of the best three-year runs in its history. One of the S&P’s most recent additions posted a record $714 million in net income for fiscal year 2026. They’ve added over 500 stores and are now the third-largest convenience store chain and fifth-largest pizza chain in the entire country.

And they're not slowing down. Last week, CEO Darren Rebelez took his leadership team to NYC to announce Casey's Three-Year Strategic Plan targeting at least 400 additional stores and 8-10% annual earnings growth over the next three years. The additional stores will be 50% built, 50% acquired. Good pizza, better business.

Longtime Ankeny Hy-Vee employee, Lori McKenna, assisted customers in the floral department for 40 years before her retirement in 2024. On Wednesday, the company said thank you the only way Hy-Vee knows how: by putting her face on the side of a semi-trailer. The tradition dates back to 1997. If you spot the truck around town, give it a honk. (more)

Ankeny homeowners, mark July 1st. Starting that date, the city is transferring full responsibility for water service lines (the underground pipes that run from the street main to your home) to property owners. That means if a line breaks, leaks, or needs replacing after July 1st, the repair bill is yours. The change brings water lines in line with how sewer lines are already handled across most Iowa communities. No new monthly fee, but repair costs can range from minor to significant depending on the situation. Worth knowing before something goes wrong. Full details at the city's website. (more)

Bingo Night @ Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille - Bingo night with drink and food specials. 7-9pm (info)  

Full Moon Somatic Therapy @ The Tight Club - Settle in for a deeply restorative 90-minute somatic breathwork journey. A body-based experience using intentional breathing, grounding, meditation, and live sound healing. No prior experience needed, just bring your yoga mat, a blanket, cozy layers, and a water bottle. 6-7:30pm (info)

DJ Bingo @ The Other Place - Free, weekly bingo with… A DJ! 7pm (info)  

Trivia Night @ Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille - Weekly laid back trivia night with fun competition, drinks and prizes. 7-9pm (info)  

Summer Nights @ The District - Kick off the Fourth in style at Sips & Songs. Featuring Joshua Sinclair and Jordan Beem. A night of live music, a Summer Nights Car Show with Karl Kustoms, fireworks after the bands, and Silent Disco from 10-12pm, all in one incredible night! Gates open at 5:30pm, free to attend, all ages welcome, and takeout from District restaurants is encouraged. (info)  

Ankeny Farmers Market: Night Market @ Market & Pavilion - Fresh produce, local meats and eggs, homemade food goods, and handmade crafts, just with better evening vibes! Note that there will be no Saturday markets on July 4th or July 11th. 4-8pm

🎸Murph & Andy @ Soggy Frog - 1pm

🎸Brittany Sword Duo @ Soggy Frog - 4pm

🎸Brody & Cooper Band @ The Cabaret - 8pm

Yoga in the Park @ Wagner Park - Roll out your mat and enjoy a free hour of yoga in the park with certified instructors, all ages and skill levels welcome! 8-9am

🎸Grind Rocks @ Good Times - 9pm

🎸Anthony Koester Band @ Soggy Frog - 7pm

Thanks for reading today’s Digest. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who will be taking charge of grillng duties this weekend.

See you next week.