April is Financial Literacy month and it’s a good time to take stock of your personal finances for the short and long term. While filing your tax return is still fresh in your mind, you may want to re-think your financial plan or draft a new one. To help you get started, Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is hosting a series of Personal Finance workshops throughout April and May 2024 for all ages. Here's the line up of activities:
Financial Planning Day 2024 @ Saratoga Library
Saratoga Library is hosting a Financial Planning Day on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM in cooperation with the Financial Planners Association of Silicon Valley (FPA-SV). The day will start off with a seminar on achieving financial goals with smart tax planning. The day ends with free, 30 minute one-on-one consultations with a CFP.
- 4/13/24, 2:00 PM: Tax Planning is for Everyone: How to Achieve Your Financial Goals. Lawrence Pon, CPA, Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), will explain how tax planning is not only about reducing your tax bill, but also how to achieve your financial goals. In this seminar, Larry Pon will review tax planning strategies and the latest tax updates. You will have an opportunity to ask questions. Mr. Pon is passionate about financial literacy and volunteers as a Money Doctor for the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy initiative of the American Institute of CPAs. Registration is not required, but seating is first come, first serve. Masks are recommended.
After Mr. Pon's talk, you can sign up for a One-on-One consultation with a volunteer CFP from the FPA-SV to discuss your financial plan. Four time slots are available. Six bookings per slot are available; registration is required.
- 4/13/24, 3:00 to 3:30 PM: RSVP
- 4/13/24, 3:30 to 4:00 PM: RSVP
- 4/13/24, 4:00 to 4:30 PM: RSVP
- 4/13/24, 4:30 to 5:00 PM: RSVP
Place: Community Room, Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, CA
Virtual Programs
Retirement Guide for Women
Tuesday, April 23 @ 7:00 PM
CFP Larysa Prytula will discuss the importance of retirement preparedness for women especially as the amount of wealth controlled by women is forecast to double in the next decade. RSVP to receive the Zoom link: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/65bad562eb28943d00837435
Overcoming the Insecurity around Social Security
Tuesday, May 28 @7:00 PM
This workshop provides insights to understand the nuances of Social Security benefits and how they might impact your personal finances. Speaker Larysa Prytula will address common concerns about filing for Social Security. Learn some strategies that might help you optimize benefits and decide when to claim them. RSVP to receive the Zoom link: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/623e293cdec26636005e4560
This three-part financial literacy series for teens reviews basic financial planning concepts and skills to get the basics down. Register for the series to receive the Zoom links for each event. This online webinar series will not be recorded and posted to other SCCLD sites so attendance is encouraged. The three sessions include:
- Thursday, April 4 from 5 to 6 pm: Basic Money Management
- Thursday, April 11 from 5 to 6 pm: Understanding Credit
- Thursday, April 18 from 5 to 6 pm: Making Good Money Decisions
RSVP: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/65cfad0a5e1ddf360058cf42
In Person Programs
Sunday, April 7 @ 1:00 to 6:00 PM, Cupertino Library, Community Room 201A Second Floor
People will be helped on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive as early as possible. There will be two Mandarin speakers available. VITA is staffed by volunteers. If you have a very complex tax return, you will probably need the services of a professional tax accountant.
Wednesday, April 10 @ 4:00 to 5:00 PM, Saratoga Library
For Teens ages 12 through 18. Learn the basics of saving and making money. Experience buying stocks through simulators and develop a deep understanding about how the stock market works. The club meets every other Wednesday through June 5, 2024. Bring your own laptop to participate or use a library laptop during club sessions. For more information and to register, go to: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/65b9a25bf797a6fee57335fb
Electronic Resources
You can also follow SCCLD’s Smart Investing webpage and monthly Booklists that cover a variety of personal finance topics such as:
- Personal Finance - Budgeting
- Taxes
- Credit and Debt Management
- Financial Emergencies
- Financing College
- Investing
- Estate Planning
"Opportunity comes to the prepared mind." --- Charlie Munger, Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate controlled by Warren Buffett. Munger was Buffett's closest partner and right-hand man. For more wit and insights by Mr. Munger, read Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger .
