Layperson's Guide to Financial Planning Offered by UC Irvine Extension

From the Irvine World News — March 29, 2001

Layperson's Guide to Financial Planning Offered by UC Irvine Extension

UC Irvine Extension is offering Financial Planning for the Layperson, a series of courses modeled after its Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program.

The courses in the series are conducted at the UCI Learning Center in Orange and taught by the same instructors who teach the more rigorous Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program.

The series begins with "What You need to Know About Personal Financial Planning: The Basics" scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, April 2-11, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The class covers the basic economic concepts of consumer legislation, budgeting and personal assets management, formulating a personal balance sheet and income tax statement among other topics.

"Layperson's Guide to Income Taxation," meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 29 through June 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. offers tips on how to manage finances to minimize personal income taxes. Participants will review filing alternatives, deductions, tax credits and other issues that may make one's next tax season more manageable.

"Layperson's Guide to Insurance Risk Management" meets Mondays and Wednesdays, April 30 through May 9, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Students will study the role of insurance in managing risk and discover how to select among insurance policies to meet one's goals and objectives.

"Layperson's Guide to Investments in Personal Financial Planning" meets Mondays and Wednesdays, April 16-25. It will cover various investment vehicles, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Students will learn how to measure the risk and time value of money as well as strategies for making the most of investments.

"Layperson's Guide to Retirement Planning/Employee Benefits" meets Saturday, June 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will be taught how to estimate the money they will need for retirement and translate that information into an effective savings and investment plan. Other topics include Social Security and Medicare.

"Layperson's Guide to Estate Planning," meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 15-22, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., examines methods of owning and transferring property, the concept of probate, living trusts and how to apply these concepts to one's individual estate.

The fee for the six-course series is $305. Individual courses can also be taken at $60 each.

More information is available by calling (949) 824-5414.