Some programs are in-person only, some are webinar-only, and some are hybrid, as noted right below the date and time for each program. If I’ve listed an address, you can attend in person. If there’s no address, it’s webinar-only.
Financial Strategies for Uncertain Times
Whether you’re already suffering financial hardship or you are afraid that hardship is ahead, join us to learn:
- Tips for reducing expenses and setting up a budget.
- Do’s and don’ts when you can’t pay all your bills.
- Who qualifies and how to apply for assistance programs including unemployment, SNAP aka Food Stamps, Medicaid, and more.
- Why tapping your retirement account should be your last resort.
- Investment strategies for managing risk.
Tuesday, August 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Hybrid: attend either in person or via Zoom
Park Ridge Public Library
20 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL
Register at https://parkridgelibrary.libcal.com/ Select the registration for the way you plan to attend the event, either in-person or hybrid.
Thursday, August 28 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Hybrid: attend either in person or via Zoom
Elk Grove Public Library
1001 Wellington Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL
Registration is required only if you plan to attend virtually. Go to https://egvpl.libnet.info/events.
Saturday, August 30 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm
Webinar
Cook Memorial Park Library – Aspen Branch
Register at https://cooklib.libnet.info/events.
Wednesday, September 24 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Hybrid: attend either in person or via Zoom
Crystal Lake Public Library
126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake, IL
Register at https://crystallake.librarycalendar.com/ Select the registration for the way you plan to attend the event, either in-person or hybrid.
Tuesday, October 21 from 7:00 to 8:30
In-person
Indian Trails Public Library
Register at https://lvdl.libnet.info/events
Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Hybrid: attend either in person or via Zoom
Vernon Area Public Library
300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire, IL
Registration closes on Oct. 9.
Register at https://calendar.vapld.info/ Select the registration for the way you plan to attend the event, either in-person or hybrid.
Investing Made Simple
Financial educator Karen Chan will make stocks, bonds and mutual funds crystal clear using the story of a young company called Freddie’s Finest Furniture. You’ll learn how to put that information into use as she explains index funds and target date retirement funds, and how they can simplify your investing decisions.
Tuesday, September 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
In person
Carol Stream Public Library
616 Hiawatha Drive, Carol Stream, IL
Register at https://www.cslibrary.org/event/copy-investing-made-simple-person-64525.
Estate Planning Toolbox
There’s a lot of talk about “the number” – the specific amount of money you need to retire. But thinking about retirement involves more than just one number. In this session, we’ll talk about assessing your overall financial picture and gathering all the pieces of information that will help you make an informed decision. Building a better understanding of all aspects of your finances, from expenses to Social Security to IRAs and investments, will help you know when retirement is an option for you.
Knowing your tools and learning how to use them makes any job easier. The same is true for estate planning. In this workshop, you’ll become familiar with a range of estate planning tools, what they do, and the terminology they use. In addition to wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, we will discuss the role that insurance, titling of property, and gifting can play. Finally, we’ll take a look at how these tools work with our tax system, including estate, income, generation-skipping and gift taxes.
Tuesday, October 6 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
In person
Carol Stream Public Library
616 Hiawatha Drive, Carol Stream, IL
Register at https://www.cslibrary.org/event/estate-planning-toolbox-person-64527.
Understanding Medicare Choices
Whether you’re signing up for the first time or wondering if you should make a change, this class will help you make a more informed decision about Medicare. We will break down the different types of medical expenses and compare how traditional Medicare (A/B/D) and Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) cover – or don’t cover – those expenses. We’ll talk about when you should sign up, when you can change from one plan to another and the barriers to doing that), and what additional types of insurance could fill the gaps.
Wednesday, October 8 from 7:00 to 8:30
In person
Mount Prospect Public Library
10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect, IL
Register at https://mppl.libnet.info/events. Registration should open a month before the event.
Thursday, October 16 from 10:00 to 11:30 pm OR 2:00 to 3:30
In-person
Lake Villa Public Library
140 N Munn Rd., Lindenhurst, IL
Register at https://lvdl.libnet.info/events for Session 1 (morning) or Session 2 (afternoon)
Monday, Oct. 20, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Webinar
Wilmette Public Library
Register at https://wilmette.libnet.info/events
10 Steps to a Smarter Tax Return
Instead of just “doing” your taxes, take steps to manage your tax bill now and in the future. Learn to make smart choices about when and how you save for retirement or college, use employer benefits, pay taxes on your investments, manage the tax hit of being a widow or widower, or take advantage of lower income years at the beginning or end of your career.
Monday, December 8 from 7 to 8:30 pm
In person
Mount Prospect Public Library
10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect, IL
Register at https://mppl.libnet.info/events. Registration should open a month before the event.
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Karen Chan Financial Education & Consulting, LLC 