October is National Financial Planning Month and a good time to review your personal finances. Take the opportunity to develop a financial plan that you can check year-round to be on top of your money situation.
What Is an Annual Financial Plan?
According to Investopedia, an annual financial plan is a guide to help you track your financial situation, your future money goals, and how to meet those goals. The plan should include all facets of your financial life, from earning, saving, spending, and investing to taxes and end-of-life planning. While the starting point to develop a plan depends on your age, income, debts, and assets, the most important elements of an annual financial plan are the same. Here are some components to get started on your personal financial plan:
- Earnings
- Spending
- A Budget
- Saving
- Investing
- Life Events and Financial goals: education, marriage children, housing
- Retirement
- Emergencies and Security
To help you plan for some of these components, check out this list of financial programs the Santa Clara County Library District is offering the rest of the year:
In-person Programs
Gilroy Library's Financial Planning Day
Financial Planning: Social Security
Saturday, September 21, 2024, 11:00AM – 12:00PM
More information: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/6691cf47cf36f57164ac71ea
Financial Planning One-on-One Consultations @ Gilroy Library
Saturday, September 21, 2024, 12:00PM – 2:00 PM
Register: One-on-One Consultations @ Gilroy Library
Digitalizate Para Emprender Clases en español / Entrepreneurship Classes in Spanish
Thursday, September 12, 19, 26, and October 3, 2024, 10:30AM – 12:30PM
Esta serie de clases gratuitas se impartirá en español y se llevará a cabo los jueves (10:30 a m. a 12:30 p.m.) del 29 de agosto al 3 de octubre en la Biblioteca Gilroy. Presentado por el Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, una organización local sin fines de lucro.
This free class series will be taught in Spanish and meets Thursdays (10:30am-12:30pm) from August 29 - October 3 at the Gilroy Library. Presented by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, a local nonprofit.
Register: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/66a1795713b83aeedf185c12
Los Altos
Piggy Bank Pioneers for Kids in Grades K-8
Orchard Room
Sunday, October 6, Nov 3, and Dec 1 2024, 11:00AM – 12:00PM
Children ages 5-10 are invited to join members of Mountain View High School’s Personal Finance Club to improve your financial literacy skills through fun, interactive games! Be prepared to practice making spending choices and identifying currency.
RSVP: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/66be534c3922864100bf4bda
Saratoga Library
Understanding Medicare: A Comprehensive Guide
Thursday, September 26, 2024, 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Maple Room
Register: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/66a6e1c7cf36f57164aebfe7
Financial Planner @ Saratoga Library, Maple Room
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7:00PM – 8:15PM
Sign up for a free 15-minute one-on-one consultation with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to answer personal finance questions you may have. The CFPs are members of the Financial Planners Association of Silicon Valley.
Register: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/66dc7bab506577776c4a9e2d
Virtual Programs
Estate Planning Before and After “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act“
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 7:00PM – 8:00PM
RSVP: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/66b6e68414460a1fe340a980
Electronic Resources
You can also check out SCCLD’s Smart Investing Resources Guide and our Business and Investing online resources page, as well as Booklists that cover a variety of personal finance topics such as:
- Business & Money
- Personal Finance - Budgeting
- Taxes
- Credit and Debt Management
- Financial Emergencies
- Financing College
- Investing
- Estate Planning
Charlie Munger (1924 - 2023): ‘Live within your income and save so that you can invest. Learn what you need to learn.’
- Poor Charlie's Almanack: the Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger
