March 14 seminar teaches savings, investment tips

The program, Safeguard Your Savings, aims to alleviate participants’ aversion to risk in terms of building wealth, said Rob Weagley, chairman of the MU department of personal financial planning, in a news release.

“When they hear the word ‘risk,’ the average person thinks it’s a negative term,” Weagley said. “In the financial world, risk allows you to get returns.”

The seminar is scheduled for 10 a.m.–3 p.m. March 14 at St. John’s Hospital, 2722 McClelland in Joplin.

Participants will learn the basic principles of saving and investing, setting financial goals and developing plans, types of financial markets and how they work, selecting a financial professional, as well as avoiding investment scams.

Weagley’s market research found that the greatest demand for investor education is among 44- to 55-year-olds planning for retirement. He noted, though, that people of any age could benefit from the program.

“It’s never too late or too early for people to find out if they need to make financial changes,” Weagley said. “Ninety percent of us think we could do it better if we knew more.”

The seminar will be hosted by St. John’s Prestige, with costs covered by a grant from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office and the Investor Protection Trust.

“Like most things in life, saving money and investing can benefit from a healthy dose of common sense,” Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said in the release. “This opportunity … will help provide Missourians throughout the state with the tools they need to become better-informed investors.”

Advance registration is required and available by calling (417) 358-2158.