SAN FRANCISCO, October 10 – San Francisco Public Library presents San Francisco Financial Planning Day on October 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. At this event, individuals can participate in financial workshops on Zoom and meet one-on-one online or in-person with a Certified Financial Planner™ for free, objective, no-strings-attached financial advice.  

“Dealing with money and finances can be intimidating so we want to create a space for our community to learn from experts at no cost,” says Librarian Jonathan Steimnitz. “Every October, we partner with the Financial Planning Association to offer finance-focused workshops and counseling that give San Franciscans the knowledge and confidence to make smarter choices about their money.”  

The event is a great opportunity for a private consultation with an expert on a wide variety of personal finance issues, including budgeting, retirement planning, investment strategies, income taxes and insurance, among other topics.  In addition to the one-on-one in-person or virtual sessions, four financial workshops are available for remote access on Zoom. The workshops will also be livestreamed in the Learning Studio at The Bridge at Main on the 5th Floor for in-person attendance. This year’s workshops include presentations on investing, retirement savings plans, navigating California’s insurance crisis and updates to get you ready for tax season. 

In-person counseling takes place in the Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room in the Lower Level of the Main Library. Financial planners volunteer their time and do not promote with marketing materials or sell products or services. Registration is strongly encouraged, but walk-in appointments will be accepted based on availability. To reserve a one-on-one consultation, register here. 

Can’t make Financial Planning Day? No problem. The Library offers ongoing financial literacy programs and access to one-on-one coaching year-round through the Business, Science and Technology Center, located at the Main Library on the 4th Floor. SFPL’s popular Work It series covers all the basics from resume writing, job searches, applying for City or State jobs, career transitions, tax preparation, budgeting and more. Each week, patrons have the opportunity to sign up for one-on-one counseling on budgeting basics with San Francisco Financial Counseling or meet with a Certified Financial Planning™ professional virtually to create a financial plan with Advisers Give Back. Visit on.sfpl.org/Work-It for more information. 

Financial Planning Day Agenda  

All financial workshops are hosted on Zoom and livestreamed in the Learning Studio at The Bridge at Main on the 5th Floor for in-person attendance. For more information and to register for workshops visit: sfpl.org/financial-planning.  

Diving Into Investment Topics, 10 – 11:30 a.m. 

Learn more about asset allocation for your portfolio, how to approach your finances with good behaviors, bond investing with higher and lower interest rates, and thoughts on alternative investments like Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS), commodities and crypto.   

Best Retirement Savings Plans for You, 12–1:30 p.m. 

Saving for retirement is important. We’ll get into the facts about 401(k)s, 403(b)s, SEP-IRAs, SOLO 401(k)s, Traditional and Roth IRAs, the new Cal SAVERS program, and other tax-advantaged savings opportunities. 

California’s Property & Casualty Insurance Crisis, 1:45–3 p.m. 

Why is insurance in California so complicated right now? Learn more about what is happening and how to best navigate the changing insurance environment. 

Tax Update, 3:30 – 5 p.m. 

An update on tax options remaining for 2024 and a discussion of where the tax code may be going in 2025 and beyond. 

1:1 Financial Coaching Sessions with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 

One-on-one consultations are offered virtually or in-person at the Main Library. To reserve a one-on-one consultation with a Certified Financial Planner™, register here. 

For questions about this event and SFPL’s other financial programs, please email busscitech@sfpl.org.   

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