- Managing Money in Good and in Bad Times: For years we have heard that if you follow sound financial practices and stick to a plan with a solid foundation you will come out ahead. Financial times today have changed not only the rules, but how we need to react and be proactive about our financial future. This course includes education about the importance of making money a family affair, reviewing credit, debt reduction, spending plans, goal setting, playing catch-up, considering other income sources, and super saving ideas.
- Balancing Work, Family and Finances: Individuals are inundated with trying to juggle their work, children’s activities, relationships, finances and more. During this course we discuss the importance of evaluating your current ability to balance work and life, identify obstacles to maintaining balance, and we discuss how to develop strategies to help realign with home and work-life priorities. The level of happiness at home will impact the output at work and school. This course will focus on teaching employees how to better manage their paycheck, family activity budget and monthly spending habits. We help individuals learn how to keep more of the money they have worked so hard to earn and to still have fun while developing solid spending habits for the entire family.
- Estate Planning: 94% of Americans have no living will or trust which means that our families are not in control of their future. This means that the state in which they live will be in control of their estate. This means that the families of the deceased will now have to pay attorneys to handle the assets of those who have left us. A good estate plan will help your beneficiaries avoid probate, may drastically reduce or eliminate taxes upon death, and most importantly will provide peace of mind in knowing that everything will be taken care of. This session reviews in depth who needs an estate plan, what assets are subject to probate, including joint tenancy survivor’s probate, risk of disability, competency, and general education about estate planning.
- College Planning: It’s no secret that college is important. In fact, a recent study shows that amongst the unemployed in this country, only 5% of college educated are unemployed versus 10% for those with only a high school diploma. This Course reviews the importance of saving for a college education, what the current economic state colleges are in, college costs vs. inflation, how much money one will need for college, where that money will come from, information about financial aid and grants, 529 college savings plans, how to choose which college is best for you, and what to do to get started now.
- Mortgage Financing: Obtaining a mortgage has become a seemingly complex process and has left many new and old homeowners wondering if they will ever own their home. During this class we discuss and educate individuals about the importance of maximizing a solid mortgage strategy when looking to buy or refinance a home, we discuss the current state of the mortgage industry, loan programs available that are best suited for certain situations, and overall awareness about who to choose and what to look for when choosing a mortgage professional to help you with your situation.
- Financial Blunders: Straightline professionals encounter many individuals and families struggling with their finances and we often see mistakes that could have been avoided. During this presentation we discuss common financial blunders associated with not having a financial strategy, greed with stock investments / options, “deferred spending” accounts, buying insufficient or the wrong type of life insurance, lack of tax planning, and the number one killer to your money, procrastination.
- Why ROTH?: Forces are already in motion that will dramatically change the American way of life and the choices we will all need to make in the future. A ROTH IRA is an individual retirement plan… It can be either an account or an annuity. If you satisfy the requirements, qualified distributions are TAX FREE. You can convert a traditional IRA to a ROTH IRA. During this presentation we can help you answer the most important question when it comes to a ROTH… is a ROTH IRA right for you? Tax pressures, trillions of debt, and an unstable economy call for alternatives to traditional retirement accounts such as the IRA and 401(k).
- Investment Planning 101: The rules of the game have changed and they’ve changed significantly. During this presentation we will discuss and educate about how the game has changed with this technological era, we’ll discuss the 8 ingredients to your investment cake, fact studies, the importance of dollar cost averaging, and the do’s and dont’s of investing. The economic framework is complicated and for most, nearly impossible to understand. Knowledge is power. Creating wealth through investing can be a simple and easy thing to do once you’ve learned the basic rules to doing it right. This presentation will help you get on your way to doing it right.
- Buying Your First Home: Buying your first home can be very exciting and at the same time scary, We are living in one of the best times in our nations history when it comes to the opportunities that are available to buy a home. Historically low interest rates and a massive surplus of inventory have created a buyers market. During this Course we will discuss and educate about the real estate financing, things to avoid when buying a home, tips every buyer must know, tips on selling your home, biggest mistakes made when buying a home, and how to make the most of your real estate investment.
- Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (the series): Stop worrying about money. More than one million families have attended Financial Peace University with amazing results. On average, these families paid off $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 in just the first 90 days! Stop worrying about money, and start your journey to Financial Peace today. This series of presentations includes topics on Super Saving, Relating with Money, Dumping Debt, Cash Flow Planning, Credit Sharks in Suits, Buyer Beware, Cause and Effect, That’s not Good Enough, of Mice and Mutual Funds, From Fruition to Tuition, Working in Your Strength, Real Estate and Mortgages, and The Great Misunderstanding. Straightline’s Founder, Kurtis Kooiman, and our entire team, are heavily influenced and mentored by the Dave Ramsey Team and the philosophies they share with others about the importance of being financially responsible and disciplined.
