Heartfelt Finance: Olympic Peninsula Personal Finance Meetup

Retirement planning isn’t about guesswork—it’s about creating a strategy that aligns with your dreams and financial needs. In this class, we’ll walk you through the essentials of planning for retirement, covering key decisions and steps that can help you build a secure future.

You’ll learn:

• How to estimate your future retirement needs.
• The different types of retirement savings accounts (401(k)s, IRAs, etc.) and how to use them.
• Practical steps to make room in your budget for retirement savings.
• Balancing retirement savings with other financial priorities.
• Important decisions to consider as you get closer to retirement.

Whether you’re just starting or re-evaluating your plan, this session will help you build the foundation for a financially stable and rewarding retirement. Join us and start planning with confidence!

Investing doesn't need to be intimidating, complicated, or expensive. This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of investing, helping you understand how to grow your wealth while managing risks along the way. Whether you’re just starting or looking to solidify your investment knowledge, we’ll cover practical concepts without overwhelming jargon.

You’ll learn:

• How investing fits into your overall financial plan.
• The importance of diversification to reduce risk.
• The differences between various asset classes, such as stocks and bonds.
• Simple strategies for long-term wealth building using compounding growth.
• Common mistakes to avoid and how to manage investment risks.
• Why fees are the silent killer of investment returns, and how to minimize their impact on portfolio growth.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll feel empowered to take your first steps toward investing or refine your existing strategy. Join us for an engaging session that makes growing your wealth feel achievable and exciting!

In preparation for this workshop, I'd encourage you to complete the Vanguard risk assessment quiz. Then either print out the results or copy/paste them in an email to yourself so you have it on your phone.

https://investor.vanguard.com/tools-calculators/investor-questionnaire

Note: Vanguard is not a sponsor of this program, or in any way connected to Jassen Bowman, Bizorca LLC, etc. They simply offer a decent risk tolerance quiz that is also free.

Unlock the mystery behind your paycheck and make tax time less taxing. This session will provide a comprehensive introduction to understanding income sources, deductions, and tax essentials that can help you make better financial decisions year-round. Whether you're new to taxes or want to refresh your knowledge, this class will equip you with practical insights to confidently manage your earnings and obligations to your favorite uncle.

What We'll Cover:

• Income Insights: Explore various sources of income, from wages to investments.
• Decoding Deductions: Learn what’s taken out of your paycheck and why.
• Paystub Power: Understand the breakdown of key figures on your paystub.
• Tax Time Tactics: Get familiar with tax rates, brackets, and deductions.
• Filing Fundamentals: Navigate key tax forms and uncover common tax credits.
• Smart Strategies: Discuss tips to optimize refunds and avoid costly mistakes.

By the end of this session, you'll have a firmer grasp of how to control, report, and maximize your income—all while keeping Uncle Sam happy!

Note: For this class, it will be helpful for you to bring a recent paystub and W-2.

What even is money? What's the difference between a bank and a credit union? What makes the economy hum? What are financial markets? Who makes all this finance stuff go?

Understanding what makes the economy tick and what it all means for your wallet is part and parcel to building a better financial future for yourself. In this class, you'll learn how the system works, so that you can then work the system!