FREE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS OFFERED AT CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY NEIGHBORHOOD BRANCHES DURING MONEY SMART WEEK
Chicago Public Library (CPL) joins the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Money Smart partners in hosting the 14th Annual Money Smart Week, April 18 – April 25, 2015. Money Smart Week offers the public a series of free financial literacy seminars, workshops and other programs designed to help people understand the business of money, gain control of their finances and overall wealth management. Such programs help families learn to reduce debt and provide practical money skills for life.
The following Money Smart Week programs are scheduled at Chicago Public Library branch locations throughout the city. In addition programs are scheduled at the Harold Washington Library Center 400 S. State St. Moreover, all CPL locations have books, periodicals and online information which allow Chicagoans to learn about financial planning, investing and organizing their finances. For a complete listing of Money Smart Week programs, visit the Library’s website at chipublib.org.
A Balanced Approach to Saving for Retirement
Presented by Balance Investments, LLC
Saving for retirement is important for all Americans. Learn a balanced approach to help you achieve a financially secure and independent retirement.
Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m.
Manning Branch
6 S. Hoyne Ave.
Women and Money
Presented by Modern Capital Concepts.
Women face unique challenges in the path to financial independence. You will learn financial strategies for each life stage and saving for retirement.
Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m.
Logan Square Branch
3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
Financial Smarts for Individuals and Entrepreneurs
Presented by Beverly & Beverly, Accounting and Financial Consulting Services
Martina Beverly presents ways to build savings, optimize retirement planning, reduce debt and create a financial action plan.
Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m.
Bezazian Branch
1226 W. Ainslie St.
Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m.
Chinatown Branch
2353 S. Wentworth Ave.
Wills and Trusts
Presented by Law Offices of Jacob Ehrensaft, LLC
Attorney Jacob Ehrensaft discusses estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and powers of attorney and the importance of planning ahead. Learn how to organize and update your documents in a timely manner to reflect legal changes and personal circumstances.
Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m.
Edgewater Branch
6000 N. Broadway St.
Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m.
Roden Branch
6083 N. Northwest Hwy.
Monday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Edgebrook Branch
5331 W. Devon Ave.
Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Sulzer Regional Library
4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m.
Budlong Woods Branch
5630 N. Lincoln Ave.
Saturday, April 25 at 3 p.m.
Albany Park Branch
3401 W. Foster Ave.
Investing 101
Presented by Modern Capital Concepts
Learn the basics of investing in stocks and bonds. Certified Financial Planner Khloe U. Karova will answer your questions.
Saturday, April 18 at 12 p.m., &
Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m.
Logan Square Branch
3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
Understanding Your Credit and how it can work better for you!
Presented by the National Association for Debt Education and Assistance (NADEA)
This seminar will educate about the history of Credit and cover most all you would want to know about how to use your credit so you can win!
Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m.
Woodson Regional Library
9525 S. Halsted St.
Now That You Have Health Insurance…
Presented by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Illinois
You’ve enrolled in your insurance plan. Take the next step to learn how your plan works so you can make informed choices about your health care.
Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m.
Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch
8530 S. Kedzie Ave.
How to Make Money Owning Rental Properties
Presented by Virtual Realty® and Blueleaf Lending
Foreclosures, short sales and auctions have created opportunities for new real estate investors. Learn how to separate the rewards from the risks.
Saturday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Logan Square Branch
3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
Turning 65? Understand Medicare Parts A & B and Medicare Supplement Plans
Presented by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Illinois
Community Relations Specialist, Jeanet Reyes-Cordero, covers eligibility, enrollment and the benefits of Medicare Parts A and B and the standardized Medicare Supplemental Plans available in Illinois. Attendees will benefit from this program if they will soon be eligible for Medicare, already on Medicare but losing their group retiree benefits, a caregiver of a Medicare beneficiary and anyone who would like to learn more about the hospital and medical insurance benefits of Medicare and Medicare Supplemental Plans. Program time is approximately 60-75 minutes.
Monday, April 20 at 2 p.m.
McKinley Park Branch
1915 W. 35th St.
Tuesday, April 21 at 11 a.m.
Woodson Regional Library
9525 S. Halsted St.
Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m.
Roden Branch
6083 N. Northwest Hwy.
Wednesday, April 22 at 11 a.m.
Albany Park Branch
3401 W. Foster Ave.
Thursday, April 23 at 11 a.m.
Austin-Irving Branch
6100 W. Irving park Rd.
Investing 101
Presented by Balance Investments, LLC
This session goes beyond the bull and bear to explain investing and how different types of investments work together to help you reach your goals.
Monday, April 20 at 6 p.m.
Manning Branch
6 S. Hoyne Ave.
Thursday, April 23 at 6:30pm.
Walker Branch
11071 S. Hoyne Ave.
Home Sweet Home: Money Saving Tips for Homebuyers and Homeowners
Presented by MB Financial
This presentation by Kelly Malitz, senior mortgage loan officer for MB Financial Bank, is for homebuyers, homeowners and investors. Attendees will learn about the current market, why now is a great time to buy or refinance, and down payment assistance.
Monday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Austin-Irving Branch
6100 W. Irving Park Rd.
Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Logan Square Branch
3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
Thursday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Northtown Branch
6435 N. California Ave.
Retirement Planning
Presented by Ameriprise Financial
Coleman Conley discusses ways to devise a confident retirement strategy
Monday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Avalon Branch
8148 S. Stony Island Ave.
Left Behind – An Executor’s Tale
Presented by Healthy Dining Chicago
After the untimely passing of her beloved sister, Laura Bruzas was named estate administrator. In this often humorous always informative program, Bruzas reflects and shares her top 10 list of what she wishes she would have known in order to avoid the subsequent additional losses and sleepless nights. This program is for you if you do not have a will and/or are a future estate administrator/executor interested in preserving family peace and precious financial resources.
Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m.
Lincoln Park Branch
1150 W. Fullerton Ave.
A Balanced Approach to Your Budget
Presented by Balance Investments, LLC
Seeking direction in your finances? Please join Herman Brunson of Balance Investments, LLC for this workshop to understand several powerful ways to help your money go further, how to balance your income and credit to meet your needs and learn key insights to creating a balanced budget strategy
Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m.
Richard M. Daley Branch (West Humboldt)
733 N. Kedzie Ave.
Identity Theft Seminar
Presented by Legal Shield
Velvetta Young presents ways to best identify and protect yourself against Identity Theft fraud and scam artists.
Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m.
Whitney Young Branch
7901 S. King Dr.
Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m.
Woodson Regional Library
9525 S. Halsted St.
Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m.
Avalon Branch
8148 S. Stony Island Ave.
The Less Stress Move: Taking the Mystery Out of Selling Your Home
Presented by Dale Tippett, Licensed Real Estate Managing Broker
Dale Tippett, managing broker and senior real estate specialist, will address what you and your go-to-people need to know about selling your home without drama. This seminar is a must for long-time home owners, Baby Boomers and their parents
Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Austin-Irving Branch
6100 W. Irving Park Ave.
Ten Tips to Home Buying Today
Presented by Chicago Financial Services, Inc.
Darryl Evans, CFS, offers the best tips on purchasing your first home, second home, or investment property. Learn how to qualify for down payment assistance. Your home purchasing experience can be a pleasant one.
Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln Belmont Branch
1659 W. Melrose St.
Asset Allocation for 2015: More Important Than Ever!
Presented by the Financial Planning Association of Illinois
At this workshop, Sharon Egan, MBA, CFP®, Northstar Investment Management Corp., presents the importance of asset allocation in reorganizing portfolios and gives tips to keep 2015 financially organized and also end it on the same note!
Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park Branch
1150 W. Fullerton Ave.
Making Cents!
Presented by Principal Financial Group
Melissa Labus presents a seminar focusing on behavior, habits and problem-solving all applied to personal finance and is a simple approach that is based around what is important to you. This seminar would be best for young professionals in their 20’s to mid-40s.
Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Uptown Branch
929 W. Buena Ave.
Small Business Tax Workshop
Presented by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
This workshop is for new and prospective business owners. Sergio Guzman, IRS, presents the basics of business taxes, the different types of small business organizations and tax returns. Get tips on required record keeping and the latest tax updates.
Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
West Town Branch
1625 W. Chicago Ave.
Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Sulzer Regional Library
4455 n. Lincoln Ave.
Property Taxes Too High? It’s Never Too Late to Reduce Them!
Presented by Raila and Associates, P.C.
Learn how to lower property taxes, get tax exemptions, refunds and understand market value reassessment notices, self-help tax links, tips and more! Bring your tax bill. Official tax appeal forms provided.
Wednesday, April 22 at 1 p.m.
Blackstone Branch
4904 S. Lake Park Ave.
Friday, April 24 at 3 p.m.
Manning Branch
6 S. Hoyne Ave.
Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m.
Rogers Park Branch
6907 S. Clark St.
Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m.
Sulzer Regional Library
4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
Retirement Planning
Presented by Timothy Den, Financial Advisor, ProEquities
The longevity of your retirement income involves not only your savings and retirement accounts, but healthcare law and coverage, nursing care, and final expenses planning. I will help guide you through the various topics to form a more complete picture of retirement.
Wednesday, April 22 at 1 p.m.
Hegewisch Branch
3048 E. 130th St.
Building Your Nest Egg: Real World Retirement Planning
Presented by the Financial Planning Association of Illinois
Randy Bruns, Director of Public Awareness for the Financial Planning Association of Illinois and a Certified Financial Planner professional, will discuss the key steps in building a retirement nest egg. Topics will include how much to save, the various types of accounts available, how to build an investment portfolio to accomplish your goals and tips to make it last through retirement.
Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Edgebrook Branch
5331 W. Devon Ave.
Estate Planning 101
Presented by Balanced Investments, LLC
When you plan your estate, you protect the people that you love the most. During this informative session, Herman Brunson of Balance Investments, LLC will help you understand your options and make informed decisions related to Wills, Trusts and insurance protection for your family.
Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Roosevelt Branch
1101 W. Taylor St.
Saturday, April 25 at 12 p.m.
King Branch
3436 S. King Dr.
Introduction to Investing
Presented by the Financial Planning Association of Illinois
Join us for this presentation intended for the beginning investor. Warren Arnold discusses basic investment concepts and portfolio design ideas. Learn how to avoid common mistakes made by investors.
Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Near North Branch
310 W. Division Ave.
Social Security: Your Questions Answered
Presented by Edward Jones
Felicia Staton-Young discusses ways to maximize Social Security benefit amounts for you and/or your spouse based on age, life expectancy, employment and need.
Thursday, April 23 at 12 p.m.
Bessie Coleman Branch
731 E 63rd St.
Scams, Schemes and Fraud: Can You Recognize These Risks?
Presented by UIC Center for Economic Education
Learn about financial schemes facing consumers, investors and businesses. Try your hand at recognizing them in a simulation and with an on-line game.
Thursday, April 23 at 4 p.m.
Chicago Bee Branch
3647 S. State St.
First Time Home Buyers Seminar
Presented by Standard Bank and Trust Company
Learn how to qualify for a mortgage and get down payment assistance grants up to $35,000. (Presented in English and Spanish.)
Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m.
Brighton Park Branch
4314 S. Archer Ave.
Learn About Buying a Small Apartment Building: 2-4 Units
Presented by Prospect Mortgage and Niche Realty
2-4 unit investments are great to live in or rent. Qualification can be easy & include repair money. Mixed-use buildings for live-work also discussed.
Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m.
Logan Square Branch
3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
Successful Retirement Planning
Presented by Daly Investment Management, LLC
John Daly, CFP will cover how to properly plan for a successful retirement. He will discuss proper planning fundamentals and point out potential pitfalls to avoid to help you live the retirement you deserve.
Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m.
Lincoln Belmont Branch
1659 W. Melrose St.
Reverse Mortgages Helping Seniors Stay in Their Homes
Presented by Standard Bank and Trust Company
Despite the increasing popularity, reverse mortgages are often misunderstood. Join us and learn how Reverse Mortgages are safe and affordable.
Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m.
Sulzer Regional Library
4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
To Your Credit!
Presented by JVS/Duman Entrepreneurship Center
Sharon Belloff shares ways to learn more about credit reports, credit scoring basics and why this topic should be important to you. We will discuss ways to raise your score and shine a light on those things you may be doing which cause your score to slide in the wrong direction.
Friday, April 24 at 1p.m.
Bezazian Branch
1226 W. Ainslie St.
Reverse Mortgages
Presented by Standard Bank and Trust Company
Terri Brady, Reverse Mortgage Consultant from Standard Bank and Trust Co., will give a seminar on the recent changes and new program guidelines which make reverse mortgages safer and more economical than in the past.
Friday, April 24 at 2 p.m.
Austin-Irving Branch
6100 W. Irving Park Ave.
Savvy Social Security Planning: What Baby Boomers Should Know
Presented by the Social Security Administration
One of the most important pieces of any retirement portfolio is Social Security. This informative seminar will cover who is eligible for Retirement and Survivor benefits along with entitlement factors for this and other Social Security programs. Includes information on my Social Security accounts, Statements, retirement options, working while receiving benefits, using the Retirement Estimator, and online services.
Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m.
Budlong Woods Branch
5630 N. Lincoln Ave.
Real Estate Investing-Financing Options for Residential & Commercial Real Estate
Presented by Forum Mortgage Bancorp
Dennis O’ Donoghue, Senior Loan Manager, discusses options when purchasing non-owner occupied single family homes, 2-4 unit residential, apartment buildings and commercial real estate.
Saturday, April 25 at 11:30 a.m.
Oriole Park Branch
7454 W. Balmoral Ave.
Thinking of Going “Green”?
Presented by Chicago Financial Services, Inc.
Darryl Evans, CFS, explains how to select & finance your green home improvement project. From small to large scale projects he offers new technologies and helps determine return on investment.
Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m.
Lincoln Belmont Branch
1659 W. Melrose Ave.
All Money Smart programs are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. The Chicago Public Library does not endorse, promote or guarantee the products and/or services of the presenters. Products and/or services are not sold at these presentations.
Since 1873, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL recently received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services and was ranked number one in the U.S. and third in the world by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, please call (312) 747-4050 or visit chipublib.org.
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