Finance and Investments

Personal Enrichment

Increase your knowledge of finance and investing with classes that explore stocks and bonds, identity theft and keeping track of your money.

Continuing Education

Phone

314-984-7777

Please call 314-984-7777 to register for classes by phone, or click the button above to register and pay online.

Class schedules provided below may change.

It happens every so often: classes are rescheduled, moved to a different classroom, etc. Want to see the most up-date information? Simply follow the orange button above to view current class details.

Finance and Investments, general

Financial Planning for Women

Explore financial concerns important to women including retirement accumulation and distribution strategies, how to balance your retirement plans with other goals such as education and what to expect from Social Security. Also learn how to prepare for the unexpected, including market and inflation risks and the rising costs of health care and long-term care. Ideal for women ages 35 to 70.
FINC:705 | 1 session | $39 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P02 Tu 6:30-9 p.m. | Margie Bittner
Feb. 4 | MC-BA, 118

What Everyone Needs to Know About Divorce

Explore the legal, emotional and financial issues of divorce in a logical yet compassionate way. With the guidance of trained professionals, gain greater understanding of the confusing and challenging divorce process. The more information and support you have, the better the decisions you’ll make for yourself and your family, leading to a more hopeful future. Course taught by a divorce attorney, a mental health professional and a certified divorce financial analyst.
FINC:765 | 1 session | $29 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P04 Th 6-9 p.m. | Laura Boedges
Feb. 27 | MC-SO, 206

Identity Theft Seminar

If you use a credit card, have a checking account or use the internet, it is important that you be aware of the latest scams. It can take months and cost more than $1,000 to recover and clean up your identity and credit, but only two hours to learn how to prevent it. Through this informative, example-based class, learn why people lie and how to detect deception; scams and the dos and don’ts; the who, what, where, when, how and why of identity theft; what to do if you become a victim; and free investigative resources you can use at home. Don’t get scammed!
FINC:765 | 1 session | $21.50 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P01 Sa 10 a.m.-noon | Cheryl Ring
March 7 | MC-BA, 116

Understanding Wall Street

Understanding how stocks, bonds, mutual funds and the various financial vehicles of Wall Street function are essential to a solid financial backbone. Learn what these vehicles are, how they work, and separate fact from fiction when it comes to fueling your retirement fire. Discussion includes how taxes and fees woven into these vehicles can affect your bottom line. Gain an overview of differences between stocks, bonds and mutual funds; tax considerations (the ultimate loophole); fees; common financial myths; how to overcome obstacles in order to create wealth; and ways exit strategies can affect your legacy.
FINC:765 | 1 session | $29 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P02 Th 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
March 5 | MC-BA, 120
P03 Tu 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
March 10 | FP-G, 323

Long-Term Care Costs

How do I afford long-term care for me or my aging family members? This course will discuss the five ways to plan and pay for long-term care. In addition to Medicare and long-term care insurance, we will cover the benefits available through Medicaid and through the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance (VAAA) Benefit. Learn about eligibility requirements as well as techniques and strategies to become eligible. Taught by an elder law and VA-accredited attorney with insurance and Series 65 licenses.
FINC:710 | 1 session | $34 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P08 W 7-9 p.m. | Paul Gantner
March 11 | STLCC-South County, 104

Paying for Long-Term Care: Alternative Funding Options

What is long-term care (LTC) and how do you pay for it? If you have ever experienced a friend or family member who has needed long-term care, you understand the costs associated with providing this assistance. The question is how to pay for it without having to purchase LTC insurance. Learn about alternative financial programs that can be used to pay for LTC instead of buying a specific LTC insurance policy.
FINC:746 | 1 session | $29 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P01 W 7-9 p.m. | Steve Glazer
March 11 | MC-SO, 206
P02 W 7-9 p.m. | Steve Glazer
March 25 | WW, 204

NEW! Live, Quit or Die: Long-Term Care Solutions

Explore the advantages of a coordinated asset-based, long-term care strategy. In this one-session course, learn how to leverage long-term care solutions for your retirement needs.
FINC:746 | 1 session | $29 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P03 Tu 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Mark Ralfs
May 5 | MC-BA, 114

Foundations of Investing

Are you just getting started with personal investing or want to learn more so that you can better communicate with your current financial advisor? Come learn about the basics of investing including the key features of bonds, stocks and mutual funds; the investment pyramid and the importance of asset allocation; how to set SMART financial goals; risk tolerance and the portfolio objective that is right for you; and the impact of inflation and tax diversity on your long-term goals.
FINC:705 | 1 session | $39 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P01 Th 6-9 p.m. | Margie Bittner
March 26-April 2 | MC-BA, 118

Real Estate

Buying a Home? Top Home Buying Mistakes to Avoid

“If only we had known...” is the sad tale of too many home buyers. Purchasing a home is the largest investment you’ll ever make. Discover home buying mistakes to avoid and the inside scoop to avoid surprises at closing. Learn what you should know before you purchase, what to expect throughout the process, strategies to obtain the best value, the importance of understanding contracts you sign, getting the right inspections before closing the deal and how to safeguard yourself in any market.
REAL:701 | 1 session | $19 AGE 60+ | $25 REG
P01 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
Feb. 20 | FP-F, 221
P02 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
March 24 | FV-B, 211
P03 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
April 21 | MC-BA, 124

Home Selling: Your Guide to a Successful Sale

If you’ve never sold a home before — or even if you have, but it’s been a while — it’s important to know your marketing options. Learn what to expect from the home selling process, ways to add impact and value to your home for top-dollar offers, how to use knowledge of competition in your area to determine a realistic selling price, the pros and cons of “for sale by owner” and how to find the right agent to sell your house. In one evening, learn insider tips that can get you the best deal for your home!
REAL:702 | 1 session | $19 AGE 60+ | $25 REG
P01 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
Jan. 30 | FP-F, 221
P02 | Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
Feb. 6 | STLCC-South County, 118
P03 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
April 14 | FV-B, 211
P04 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
May 7 | MC-BA, 122

The Upside of Downsizing

We accumulate a lot of things over the years, but eventually the extra stuff needs to go! Whether it’s choosing a simpler lifestyle, empty-nesting or entering independent living, downsizing can seem overwhelming in the beginning. Which comes first, getting rid of clutter or getting organized? Listing the house or finding your new home? From paring down the excess to moving to a smaller space, let us help you explore the upside of downsizing!
REAL:765 | 1 session | $13 AGE 60+ | $19 REG
P01 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
Feb. 11 | FV-B, 211
P02 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
March 12 | WW, 222

Real Estate Investing for Income

True financial wealth is about having the unearned income to finance your life goals without having to work. Based on July 2018 data from the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF), private market commercial real estate returned an average of 9.85% over the past five years. The key is to understand what you are buying by having a solid knowledge and a good plan. Find out how to plan your investment strategies to find true financial wealth!
REAL:712 | 1 session | $23 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P01 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
Feb. 27 | FV-B, 211
P02 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
March 26 | MC-BA, 122
P03 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
April 9 | STLCC-South County, 118
P04 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
May 12 | FP-F, 221

We have more!

Ready to begin making money from real estate as a landlord or an agent? Be sure to visit our "Real Estate" page under Career Studies.

Leveling Up: Buying vs. Renting

Are you a renter who has ambitions of buying a home or a current homeowner wondering whether renting makes more sense for your lifestyle? Ready for a change but don’t know where to start? It may be time to evaluate the relative costs, benefits and drawbacks of owning versus renting your home! Join a real estate professional and make a plan for the best option for your living situation.
REAL:765 | 1 session | $13 AGE 60+ | $19 REG
P03 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
March 10 | MC-BA, 122

NEW! Leveling Up: Buying vs. Renting, Millennial Edition

Are you a renter who has #goals of buying a home? Hangry for a change but don’t know where to start? Geared towards millennials, join a real estate professional to evaluate the relative costs, benefits and drawbacks of owning versus renting your home to find the best option for your living situation and lifestyle!
REAL:765 | 1 session | $13 AGE 60+ | $19 REG
P04 Th 7-9 p.m. | Jill McCoy
April 23 | FP-F, 221

Estate Planning

Estate Planning: Living Trusts

Everyone wants to do estate planning for control of their assets and for a legacy to loved ones. Course covers various ways to estate plan, avoid probate, avoid guardianships and reduce or eliminate estate taxes. Find out why a living trust may be the best solution. Taught by an attorney.
FINC:705 | 1 session | $34 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P02 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Jacquelynn Capriano
March 3 | STLCC-South County, 118
P04 W 7-9 p.m. | Jacquelynn Capriano
April 29 | MC-SO, 111

Tax and Estate Planning

Uncover long-term, multi-generational tax strategies aimed at saving significant dollars through retirement and beyond. New tax law changes of 2018 have significantly impacted the tax strategies many pre-retirees can utilize to maximize their income, pay less taxes over the course of their lives, and pass their estate on as efficiently as possible. Come examine those changes, and take a dive into qualified versus non-qualified monies, insurance, wills and trusts, and advanced tax strategies to maximize your long-term plan.
FINC:710 | 1 session | $35 AGE 60+ | $35 REG
P02 Tu 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
Jan. 28 | MC-SO, 107
P04 Tu 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
Feb. 4 | STLCC-South County, 103
P03 Th 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
Feb. 13 | FP-G, 323

NEW! Wealth and Estate Panel Discussion

In this class, get your questions answered regarding how to build wealth and set up estate planning for you and your family. Panel will feature a CPA, estate attorney and financial advisor. Registration includes discussion of three case studies during the panel and a Q&A session.
FINC:710 | 1 session | $35 AGE 60+ | $35 REG
P09 Tu 6-8 p.m. | Jason Ingram
Feb. 4 | MC-BA, 120

Estate Settlement: What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away

When someone passes away, often the responsibilities of settling the estate are placed upon the family or trustee that is charged with wrapping up all the final affairs. Taught by an estate planning attorney, you’ll learn about the legal process from what occurs in probate court to instances where the probate court may not be needed in closing the decedent’s estate. The course will discuss practical pre-planning tips as well as common mistakes that can cause litigation.
FINC:710 | 1 session | $34 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P06 Tu 7-9 p.m. | Paul Gantner
March 24 | MC-BA, 122
P07 W 7-9 p.m. | Paul Gantner
May 6 | MC-BA, 203

General Estate Planning: Trusts, Wills and Powers of Attorney

Learn about your planning options, both for property distribution upon death as well as decision-making authority while alive. Class discussion will focus on wills, the probate process and avoiding probate with revocable trusts and beneficiary designations. Powers of attorney for financial and health care purposes will also be discussed. Taught by an attorney.
FINC:710 | 1 session | $34 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P01 Tu 6-8 p.m. | Yvonne Homeyer
March 31 | Clayton HS, 120

Preparing Your Estate Plan

Designed for anyone who would like to better understand the basics of estate planning, this course explores factors to consider when creating a will, the benefits of trusts in estate planning, how to help reduce taxes on estates and how insurance can help protect your family. In addition, learn the importance of beneficiary designations, transfer on death registrations (TODs), payable on death registrations (PODs), powers of attorney and health care directives. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a plan for your heirs! Taught by both a financial advisor and an estate attorney.
FINC:710 | 1 session | $35 AGE 60+ | $35 REG
P05 Tu 6:30-9 p.m. | Margie Bittner, Kathy Gmelich
April 14 | MC-BA, 118

Retirement Planning

NEW! Retirement Planning Today

In this class, we will create goals for what a successful retirement looks like for you. You will learn how to leverage five investment strategies to minimize risk and maximize returns as well as using the new tax laws to your advantage. All course materials will be supplied for this two-session training.
FINC:736 | 2 sessions | $39 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P08 Tu 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Mark Ralfs
Jan. 21-28 | MC-BA, 120
P09 W 6-8 p.m. | Jason Ingram
Jan. 22-29 | FP-G, 327
P10 Th 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Jason Ingram
Jan. 23-30 | WW, 208
P12 Tu 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Mark Ralfs
March 3-10 | WW, 204
P11 W 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Jason Ingram
March 4-11 | MC-BA, 203
P13 Th 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Jason Ingram
March 5-12 | FP-G, 327

Tax-Free Retirement Strategies

NEW! IRAs: Tax Time Bombs

Retirement University

Financial planning is one of the most important aspects in helping you prepare for the future. Learn how to strategically approach retirement during the growth, income/distribution and conservation life stages, helping to avoid retirement roadblocks and mitigate risks in all aspects of your financial life. In-class, step-by-step curriculum helps you develop a comprehensive understanding of tax planning strategies, advanced social security planning, wealth accumulation versus (de)cummulation, the sequence of returns risk, long-term care and Medicare options and will give you the tools to design your own strategy. Learn about the final stage of your financial life through discussion of wills, trusts, estate and tax efficient legacy planning. Handouts provided.
FINC:736 | 3 sessions | $59 AGE 60+ | $59 REG
P03 Tu 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
Feb. 18-March 3 | MC-SO, 107

NEW! Retirement Exit Strategy

You have compiled a lifetime of assets. Now what? Explore strategies to live the retirement you earned. Topics include tax strategy and how to minimize taxation over the course of not only your life, but your heirs’ lives as well; estate planning and passing money on as efficiently as possible, eliminating probate and reducing taxation; income stream analysis to determine the sources and timing of money to take from in order to reduce longevity risk and unnecessary taxes; social security maximization strategies, spousal benefit planning and more.
FINC:736 | 1 session | $39 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P02 Th 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
Feb. 27 | FP-G, 327
P01 Th 6-8 p.m. | Bernie Wrezinski
March 5 | MC-SO, 109
P04 Th 6-8 p.m. | Andrew Hall
March 12 | STLCC-South County, 104

Understanding Retirement Healthcare and Social Security

As people approach retirement, a common concern is the answer to the question, “What if I get sick?” Prepare for important decisions about your healthcare by understanding your health insurance options. Learn about healthcare decisions to be made before and at retirement including, in easy-to-understand terms, what Medicare does and does not offer. You will also learn about Social Security, the original source of guaranteed income for life, including the benefits of delaying distributions, how your Social Security income will be taxed and the little-understood effect of earned income on Social Security benefits.
FINC:736 | 1 session | $29 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P05 W 7-9 p.m. | Steve Glazer
April 8 | MC-SO, 109
P06 W 7-9 p.m. | Steve Glazer
April 15 | WW, 204

Managing Cash Flow in Retirement

Living in retirement is all about the cash flow, not the pile of cash. Learn about retirement income planning and threats to cash flow during your retirement years. Real life case studies will explore retiree health care costs and the impact of taxes and withdrawal rates on investment account longevity.
FINC:736 | 1 session | $29 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P07 W 7-9 p.m. | Steve Glazer
May 6 | MC-BA, 116

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