'Making Western North Carolina More Money Wise' TM
- The mission of the Asheville Strategic Alliance
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND FREE PERSONAL FINANCE SEMINARS ON THURSDAY EVENINGS
THIS THURSDAY, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!
Human Resources Made Simple: What Government Officials Are Looking For
Thurs., Sept. 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.
FAQs
WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL WELLNESS FORUM?
The Financial Wellness Forum is a public outreach educational program funded by the Asheville Strategic Alliance (ASA).
WHO IS ASA?
ASA, also known as the Asheville Strategic Alliance, is an Asheville area group of community-minded professionals who are dedicated to making Western North Carolina more money wise through a variety of educational initiatives, including the Financial Wellness Forum and the Small Business Boot Camp.
WHEN DID THE FINANCIAL WELLNESS FORUM BEGIN?
It was created by MediaBear as an online informational website. ASA then decided to utilize the Financial Wellness Forum as one of its public outreach initiatives, both online as well as with live seminars. The first live Financial Wellness Forum seminar by ASA was conducted on Thurs., July 16, 2009.
WHEN DOES ASA OFFER ITS FINANCIAL WELLNESS FORUM SEMINARS?
Weekly on most Thursdays beginning at 6 p.m.
HOW MUCH DO ASA'S FINANCIAL WELLNESS FORUM SEMINARS COST?
Each of these personal finance seminars are completely free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, as space allows.
HOW LONG DO MOST ASA'S FINANCIAL WELLNESS FORUM SEMINARS LAST?
Each seminar lasts for approximately one hour. At the end of each educational seminar, time is usually allotted for a question-and-answer session with questions taken from the audience.
WHERE IS THE FINANCIAL WELLNESS FORUM BASED?
In Asheville, it is based at the Asheville Strategic Alliance (ASA). ASA is located at 149 South Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville. ASA's offices are situated within the Lexington Station complex, which is one block from The Orange Peel, just around the corner from Handmade in America, and several doors from Mountain Bizworks. Metered street parking is available; after 6 p.m., the street parking is free. Special Note: Do NOT park in private lots to avoid being towed.
SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE OF FREE SEMINARS FOR THE PUBLIC...
Thurs., September 3, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Eldercare Legal Issues
Part of the Forum's 'Planning Ahead' Series
ASA Speaker: Mary Hart, Attorney
The Hart Law Group, (828) 271-4278
Thurs., September 10, from 6 to 7 p.m.
How to Become Debt Free
(and Pay Off Your Mortgage in Half the Time)
Part of the Forum's 'Take Control of Your Money, Life & Future' Series
ASA Speaker: David Kanis, Mortgage Banker
Ashford Mortgage Advisors, (828) 350-8886
Thurs., September 17, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Savvy Social Security Planning:
What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Planning
Part of the Forum's 'Planning Ahead' Series
ASA Speaker: Doug English, CFP,
Scientific Investors, (828) 398-2802
Seminar Description: Baby Boomers want to know the following: Will Social Security be there for me? How much can I expect to receive? When should I apply for Social Security? How can I maximize my benefits? Will Social Security be enough to live on in retirement? Free and open to the public. This is a rare opportunity to learn about Social Security from a Certified Financial Planner.
Thurs., September 24, 6 to 7 p.m.
Human Resources Made Simple:
What Government Officials Are Looking For
Part of the Forum's 'Small Business Owner's Boot Camp' Series
ASA SPEAKER: Mike Sowinski, CPA,
CFO Consultants, (828) 712-2913
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION: This seminar will provide participants with an overview of all of the agencies that regulate human resources and payroll laws, including the Department of Labor, North Carolina Department of Revenue, IRS, EEOC, and the NC Employment Security Commission. While many business owners believe that they can approach human resource issues in a common sense approach, there are many pitfalls in this strategy. Therefore, the seminar will also cover a host of human resource compliance issues. It will address how an incorrect process of interviewing, hiring, motivating, disciplining and terminating an employee can involve many legal and financial consequences for the small business owner. The seminar will include the opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED EVERY THURSDAY AT 6 PM
Financial Wellness Forum offers FREE weekly seminars to the public every Thursday through the summer and fall
SPECIAL NOTE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS: Beginning in October 2009, the Asheville Strategic Alliance will begin to offer free seminars for area businesspeople on select Tuesdays as part of its Small Business Boot Camp educational initiative.
ASA/FWF NEWS
ASA'S FIRST SEMINAR AD (pictured above or Click Here): Appeared in July 2009 Rapid River Magazine promoting "First-time Home Buyers Seminar" presented by David Kanis and Mike Sowinski
For more seminars to be held every Thursday evening in downtown Asheville, Click Here>
The Forum makes perfect sense
The goal of the Financial Wellness Forum is straightforward. It is designed to provide area residents, small business owners, workers and retirees with practical, smart, safe ways to improve their personal finances.
Financial Wellness Forum is timely. It offers financial seminars and workshops, which are held at the offices of the Asheville Strategic Alliance, "Home of the Financial Wellness Forum." ASA/FWF is located in Lexington Station at 149 South Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville.
The Forum's team of professional members offers expertise in a wide range of financial and legal issues. Individuals who care about restructuring debt and building their nestegg will value the information provided by the financial and legal professionals of the Forum. Members of the Forum can show the public how to achieve financial stability and stay on the road to prosperity, even during trying economic times. There is hope. There are solutions. There is a better tomorrow.
MORE ABOUT ASA
'Everyone needs a money coach'
Financial Wellness Forum is an outreach program sponsored by the Asheville Strategic Alliance (ASA), which is comprised of experienced financial and legal professionals.
Each ASA professional member of the Financial Wellness Forum offers one-on-one consulting by appointment for those who seek specific answers to important questions.
For more information about ASA, Click Here>
MORE ABOUT FWF
Financial Wellness Forum is designed to help all citizens. Whether you are a young worker just beginning your career or an experienced executive or business owner who needs specific solutions to complex problems, professional members of the Financial Wellness Forum can offer timely ideas to brighten your economic future.
Financial Wellness Forum offers solid help right here in your own hometown. No longer do you have to go outside the Asheville area or Western North Carolina region. Smart, competent, independent professionals -- those who live and work and play alongside you, your loved ones and your friends -- can help you get back on track on the road to prosperity.
ASA and FWF professionals are involved with speaking at the Forum and as speakers for organizations and businesses who want to offer individuals and employees the opportunity to improve their financial situation. Area residents can learn about the latest information and news about mortgages, refinancing, tax strategies, and estate planning. The public can become more educated in financial planning, insurance, investments and critical legal issues that can affect their personal finances.
Learn more about the Asheville Strategic Alliance professionals who make the Financial Wellness Forum in Asheville possible. Call ASA communications director Byron Belzak at 828-768-5600 or Click Here>
DOTSDAILY.com
Financial news aggregated by MediaBear
... connecting the dots daily ...
* Suze Orman tells how to save thousands of dollars | Two ways to save big: (1) Have your local government reassess your home and (2) Just say "no" to retailers' inhouse store credit cards. For more of Suze's current ideas, visit the Aug. 14-16, 2009, USAweekend.com or Click Here>
* Coupon websites gain in popularity | Before you buy anything online, click for coupons first, advises Marketwatch.com's Jonathon Burton. He said a number of websites post coupons, although some post expired coupons along with current coupons. Nonetheless, sites that may be better than most include: CouponWinner.com, DealCatcher.com, FreeCoupons.com, RetailMeNot.com, and Savings.com. | For Burton's "clicking for coupons" article, visit Marketwatch.com or Click Here>
* A new study shows that modifying mortgages is harder than expected | This insightful editorial sheds some light on foreclosure facts. While the U.S. Treasury has done much to attack the mortgage problem (allowing up to $75 billion), fixing the stubborn mortagage problem remains more difficult than anticipated. Here's one explanation as to why bankers are less than enthusiastic, and for a number of reasons. Visit washingtonpost.com or Click Here>
* Bank Fees Rise | In an effort to offset losses, banks are increasing fees to customers. Business writer Eric Nash examines the new fees and how they are affecting the average person's pocketbook. Visit NYTimes.com or Click Here>
* Five Steps to Escaping Your Money Trap | MSN Money writer MP Dunleavey offers some good insights into the psychology of spending and personal finance decision-making: "If you're repeating the same financial mistakes, you probably won't get ahead until you figure out what drives you to make the decisions that sabotage success." Dunleavey examines the behavior of those who are caught in the money trap. She also quotes Reeta Wolfsohn, founder of FinancialSocialWork.com: "'Until and unless behavior changes, nothing changes,' says Wolfsohn, a leader in the rapidly growing field of financial social work. In other words, you can't analyze away a money lock. But you do have to connect your financial predicament to its origins, Wolfsohn says." | For the complete article, visit MSNMoney.com or Click Here>
* Where Is Gold Heading? | Gold prices have retreated recently, but does that mean they are posed to go higher soon? MarketWatch.com columnist Mark Hulpert examines today's contrarian thinking among gold buyers. Click Here>
* Rethinking Progress and Human Development | Glaser Progress Foundation offers an archived lecture series by exceptional individuals who examine how progress of civilized societies should be measured today. For example, one lecturer advises that the current benchmark for national progress, which is the NIPA (i.e., National Income and Product Accounts, and includes the GDP, i.e., Gross Domestic Product) should include the PNA (i.e., Program for Nonmarket Accounts). For Glaser's archived lectures and NIPA info, Click Here>
* 10-Year Treasury Bill Hits 4% | Talk of inflation begins again with the rise in interest rates paid to holders of the benchmark t-bills by the U.S. government. For details and what it means for savers and borrowers alike, Click Here>
* Mortgage Loan Mitigation Hell | Help is not on the way any time soon. That's the tale of one homeowner whose story of woe in trying to get his loan mitigated under the new rules appears to be typical. As told on marketwatch.com or Click Here>
* Economic Madness | They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Photographer Frankie Leon requests your comments (of a thousand words or so, we presume) about one of his Flickr-posted photos: Click Here>
* April is Financial Literacy Month | Take the first step of 30 steps to better manage your money by committing to change. Visit financialliteracymonth.com or Click Here>
* The Future of ETFs | Exchange-Traded-Funds continue to grow through the recession as investors search for safe havens for their money. But are ETFs the real answer? For Forbes special report, Click Here>
* Debt settlement companies can offer more woes than help | Posted on NYtimes.com: Click Here>
* Obama administration warns of mortgage scams | Posted on the LAtimes.com: Click Here>
* My plan for bad bank assets | Article by U.S. treasury secretary Tim Geithner posted on WSJ.com: Click Here>
* What's new from the Feds in helping the homeowner | A government website that focuses on efforts to stabilize the housing market and keep home prices from declining further. Visit makinghomeaffordable.gov or Click Here>
* Legislative fight rages on Capitol Hill over the "cram down" tool designed to help homeowners fight banks against foreclosure | This political and economical issue is pitting Democrats against Democrats, while homeowners in danger of losing their homes to uncompromising banks remain on tenterhooks. Visit Truthout.com/041609J or Click Here>
FOR MORE DOTSDAILY.COM, Click Here>
NEWS ALERTS
Why modifying mortgages are more difficult than expected...
Posted on July 22, 2009, this excellent editorial sheds some light on the stubborn foreclosure problem. While the federal government has done much (allowing up to $75 billion) to attack the mortgage problem, fixing the problem is harder than anticipated. Here's why banks may not be so quick to help homeowners in trouble. Visit washingtonpost.com or Click Here>
Financial books, CDs, DVDs, training materials needed for the ASA/FWF Lending Library...
Don't throw away your investment books and CDs. Give them a new life. ASA/FWF will give them a new home.
Donate your books and other financial learning tools to the Asheville Strategic Alliance/Financial Wellness Forum's Lending Library designed for use by ASA professional and affiliate members, as well as by FWF individual and small business members.
Asheville Strategic Alliance, which underwrites the Financial Wellness Forum, appreciates your generous donations of new and used financial books, magazines, CDs and DVDs. Your publications and training materials will help others learn how to get on the road to prosperity.
For details on how you can help build a viable lending library that focuses on personal finances, financial stability and wealth building, call ASA communications director Byron Belzak at 828-768-5600 or Click Here>
Add your email to receive the monthly Financial Wellness Newsletter...
It's easy to give yourself the gift of knowledge. And it's free, too.
Professional Members of the Asheville Strategic Alliance work with the Financial Wellness Forum to create a timely Financial Wellness Newsletter that is available for free to subscribers.
An easy sign-up is now available on this website. And don't forget to tell a family member, friend or business associate to sign up, too. The first issue of the Financial Wellness Newsletter will be emailed to you in July 2009. Let us know what you think. Tell us what topics you'd like to see covered in future issues. This eNewsletter can serve as your calm guide on the path to your prosperity.
Asheville Strategic Alliance underwrites the Financial Wellness Forum and a monthly e-newsletter for the public.
SIGN UP NOW FOR THE FREE ASA/FWF 'FINANCIAL WELLNESS NEWSLETTER': Click Here>
ASA is on a mission...
The mission: To help Asheville area residents and business owners get on the road to prosperity.
You are invited to attend free seminars provided by the Financial Wellness Forum, a public outreach program of the Asheville Strategic Alliance (ASA).
ASA is a newly forming business group of Asheville area professionals who are working together to build a more prosperous community.
If you are a professional who wants more information about ASA or an Asheville area resident who has a personal finance question, Click Here>
For a general disclaimer, Click Here>
Copyright 2009 MediaBear with reprint rights assigned to the authors and other contributors including Financial Wellness Forum speakers and/or Asheville Strategic Alliance members
