Programs also target retirees and new home buyers
LA PLATA, Md. (Feb. 16, 2009)—The College of Southern Maryland is presenting three FDIC-sponsored ‘Money Smart’ educational seminars at each of its campuses Feb. 18 through Feb. 28 to help provide retirees, new home buyers, existing homeowners facing foreclosure, and individuals facing bankruptcy with information designed to help ease their financial woes.
The three seminars are “Seizing the Opportunity to Purchase Your First Home,” “Act Now to Avoid Foreclosure and Bankruptcy” and “Taking Control of Your Retirement.” Each program is free and will feature local financial experts who will give 10-minute lectures, followed by a question-and-answer session.
One of the panelists presenting information on planning and securing retirement savings is Christine Parker, president of Parker Financial, LLC, of La Plata. Parker, a "Certified Financial Planner," says there are steps people can take now to take control of their retirement savings and financial future.
“Right now people’s confidence levels are shattered and they are nervous about whether or not they can retire as they planned,” Parker said. “Reassessing your tolerance for risk is a first step, followed by re-evaluating retirement goals and objectives.”
President of Parker Financial, LLC, Parker serves as president-elect of the National Capital Area Chapter of the Financial Planning Association and is a retirement planning instructor for CSM, as well as a member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning and the Charles County Chamber of Commerce. She earned a Certificate of Financial Planning from Georgetown University. Parker appeared as a panelist on the television program, Fox 5 Money News, “Managing Your Money.”
David M. Gormley, an attorney at Andrews, Bongar, Starkey & Clagett P.A., in Waldorf, wants to assure people that although this recession is affecting everyone and every business, there are still financial options.
“When the second largest electronics retailer goes out of business, struggling small businesses shouldn’t feel alone,” said Gormley who is presenting the sessions on personal and small business foreclosure and bankruptcy. “People are worried that they don’t have options. They do have options, but they may not all be great options.”
Gormley will provide information on how to look for alternatives to foreclosure and bankruptcy-without getting scammed.
“Bankruptcy laws are changing, but we don’t know how long it will take for them to go into effect,” said Gormley. “People need to take action now.”
Gormley is a lifelong resident of Maryland. He practices in Maryland and the federal courts, including the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. Gormley joined Andrews, Bongar, Starkey & Clagett P.A. after many years handling thousands of bankruptcy and family law cases. Gormley manages real estate and bankruptcy practices, and concentrates on estates, trusts and probate work for the firm. He earned his law degree from University of Baltimore Law School.
‘Money Smart’ is part of a national education campaign launched by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to help individuals outside the financial mainstream develop financial skills. As of October, 2008, Money Smart education materials reached nearly 1.5 million consumers.
For seminar schedules and locations, visit http://csmd.edu/MoneySmart/ .