Money Matters Finance Series

Are you ready to take control of your financial future? Many people navigate the complexities of spending, earning, saving, and borrowing without fully understanding the mechanics behind these crucial activities. That’s where Money Matters comes in!

Join us for a comprehensive five-part program designed to demystify financial concepts and empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions. Led by Whistler resident Bill Erichson, a retired business trainer with over 35 years of experience, this program focuses on how things work rather than prescribing what you should do.

Email publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca to sign up for these sessions. You can sign up for as many as you’d like! Read on to explore the topics:

Lesson One: Introduction & Borrowing (January 14) lays the foundation for the course. Topics include:

• What is money and how does it flow
• Interesting Interest
• How Banks really work
• Credit, and why it is critical in modern society

Lesson Two: Earning & Spending (February 11) discusses how people make and spend money, and discusses the patterns and habits which affect your monthly spending.  Topics include:

• Spending and Personality
• Habits and Motivation
• The “reverse budget”
• Different types of earning (They are not all taxed the same!)

Lesson Three: Taxes (March 11) discusses one of the largest ‘expenditures’ for all Canadians. This is more how to better understand the system, rather than how to do your income tax.  Topics include:

• Types of Taxes
• How Canadian Income Tax Works
• Tax Deductions vs. Tax Credits
• TFSAs, RRSPs, and more

Lesson Four: Introduction to Investments (April 8) briefly introduces participants to investment options. Our goal is to equip people to have better and more meaningful discussions with their financial advisors. Topics include:

• Stocks and Bonds – what they are and how they work
• Introduction to analysis (don’t worry – it’s simple!)
• Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), and Mutual Funds

Lesson Five: Other Investments (May 13) is a quick overview of different types of investments, and a few investment tactics to help you build wealth. (They may not be for you, but you may want to be aware of them.) Topics include:

• Levered Investing (Should you borrow to invest?)
• Real Estate Investments
• Collectables, futures, and more