July Personal Finance Newsletter
July 14, 2011 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
The July personal financial planning newsletter is now available.
Because of the tumultuous investment markets and economic uncertainty, the newsletter includes two investing columns — one a recap of the second quarter market performance with a look forward, and another by Jim Parker with Dimensional Funds providing some compelling data on the importance of maintaining investment discipline.
The newsletter also has information on the new IRS mileage rates for the second half of 2011, a summary of how A/B and A/B/C trusts work for estate planning, and an overview of the tax and policy issues involved in taking a loan from your life insurance policy.
Plus, there’s an invitation to my social security workshop this coming Tuesday at the library.
Click here to read the newsletter.
Low-Cost Investing Basics
May 10, 2011 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
I will be hosting a free investment workshop at the Keller Library on Tuesday, May 17 at 6:30 pm.
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of successful long-term, goals-based investing. Effective investing doesn’t have to be complicated, but with so much information available, it can be difficult to tell fact from fiction. This workshop will reveal common pitfalls and investing myths and share information on how to avoid them. You will learn:
- The importance of keeping your investment costs low
- How to build a diversified, balanced portfolio
- How to know when to rebalance
- The relationship between risk and return
Registration is encouraged for planning purposes to library@cityofkeller.com.
Your Retirement Savings Game Plan
April 6, 2011 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
I will be offering a free Keller retirement planning workshop at the public library on Tuesday, April 19.
There are many uncertainties in saving for retirement right now. Even if you never plan to retire, planning for that day when work becomes optional still carries a lot of unknowns. In this workshop, we will cover how you can take control of your retirement plans by focusing on your personal savings, investing, and tax efficiency. This workshop is designed for those more than 5 years away from retirement. We will cover how to:
- determine retirement income needs
- assess the gap between guaranteed sources of retirement income and your spending needs
- prioritize retirement savings and investing strategies to fill the gap
- review which savings methods are most tax-efficient for your situation
- calculate if you’re on track for your retirement goals
- create a plan flexible enough to accommodate future uncertainty
The workshop is free, but RSVP is encouraged for planning purposes to library@cityofkeller.com. A drawing for a free copy of The Investment Answer by Daniel C. Goldie and Gordon S. Murray will also be held.
How to Maximize Social Security Benefits
February 7, 2011 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
Baby boomers, learn how to maximize your social security benefits and about recent changes to the social security program. I am conducting a free social security strategy workshop at the Keller Public Library on Tuesday, February 15 at 6:30 pm. It’s designed for baby boomers to help you maximize your retirement income. We will cover:
- 5 factors to consider when deciding when to apply for benefits
- Why you should always check your earnings record for accuracy
- How to coordinate benefits with your spouse
- How to minimize taxes on Social Security benefits
- How to coordinate Social Security with your other sources of retirement income
You are welcome to attend and bring your questions! Please RSVP to library@cityofkeller.com for planning purposes.
January 2011 Personal Finance Newsletter
January 14, 2011 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
The January newsletter is now available with a 2010 investment market recap, a humorous look at investing resolutions for the new year, and details on the estate tax changes enacted in December. It also includes an announcement of topics for the Keller Public Library personal finance workshop series for January – June. Click here to read the newsletter.
Social Security Workshop for Baby Boomers
November 8, 2010 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
I am conducting a free personal finance workshop on social security planning strategies at the Keller Public Library on Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30 pm. Personal finance workshops are held the third Tuesday of each month at the library, and this will be the last time the social security topic will be addressed in 2010.
The session will cover what baby boomers need to know to maximize their retirement income. Attendees will learn:
- 5 factors to consider when deciding when to apply for benefits
- Why you should always check your earnings record for accuracy
- How to coordinate benefits with your spouse
- How to minimize taxes on Social Security benefits
- How to coordinate Social Security with your other sources of retirement income
You are welcome to attend and bring your questions! The last time this workshop was held in August, we had quite a few excellent questions from the audience that helped everyone learn more about unique social security filing strategies and the rules that apply to them. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to library@cityofkeller.com to ensure your space.
Keller Free Financial Workshop
October 16, 2010 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
How much insurance do you really need?
It can often seem challenging to get an objective answer to this question.
On Tuesday, October 19, at 6:30 pm, I will be presenting a free personal finance workshop at the Keller Public Library on life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance. We will cover the basics of each type of coverage: what it is, who should consider having it, different kinds, and criteria to determine how much (if any) to purchase. You will receive objective facts on these important insurance coverages to support your decisions on managing financial risks for yourself and your family. I’m a fee only financial planner which means I provide financial advice and planning, but I don’t sell financial or insurance products or receive any compensation from your purchases.
The Keller Public Library is at 640 Johnson Drive. RSVPs are encouraged to ensure adequate seating to library@cityofkeller.com.
Social Security Workshop at Keller Public Library
August 11, 2010 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
I am conducting a free workshop on social security planning strategies at the Keller Public Library on Tuesday, August 17 at 6:30 pm. The session will cover what baby boomers need to know to maximize their retirement income. Attendees will learn:
- 5 factors to consider when deciding when to apply for benefits
- Why you should always check your earnings record for accuracy
- How to coordinate benefits with your spouse
- How to minimize taxes on Social Security benefits
- How to coordinate Social Security with your other sources of retirement income
Seating is limited, so please RSVP to library@cityofkeller.com to ensure your space.
July 2010 Personal Finance Newsletter
July 15, 2010 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · Leave a Comment
The July 2010 financial planning newsletter is now available. Topics include today’s investment market conditions, low mortgage interest rates, college scholarship strategies, required minimum distributions for 2010, and a reminder on staying vigilent against identity theft. An invitation to July’s free personal finance workshop on college savings strategies at the Keller Public Library is also included. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20 at 6:30 pm. Click here to view the newsletter.
Keller Public Library Free Investing Workshop
April 21, 2010 by Jean Keener, CFP, CRPC, CFDS · 1 Comment
Common Investing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Free Investing Workshop at Keller Public Library on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30 pm.
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of successful long-term, goals-based investing. Effective investing doesn’t have to be complicated, but with so much information available, it can be difficult to tell fact from fiction. This workshop will reveal common pitfalls and investing myths and share information on how to avoid them. Space is limited and registration is encouraged to ensure your space. RSVP to tchiv@cityofkeller.com.