Julie and Sandy Help Spread Financial Literacy

Teaching kids about responsible budgeting sounds about as easy as herding cats, but the Center for Financial Planning’s own Sandy Adams and Julie Hall gave it their best shot … with some amazing results.

Partnering with the non-profit organization Junior Achievement, a group aiming to spread financial literacy skills to students from grades K-12 across the country, Sandy and Julie brought in a group of 8th graders from Detroit’s Burton International School. The day was dedicated to teaching the kids about personal finances in a very hands-on way.

 

Students were encouraged to save money each month rather than spending it all. Many took saving very seriously, making frugal choices.

 

One child specifically said, “I want to make sure I can save a lot of money at the end of the month,” and was able to make a sizeable monthly (relative to income) charitable contribution as well.  

Julie says she left wishing she had experienced a field trip like that when she was a child. “Financial planning can and should begin at an early age so that our children are better prepared to handle their finances effectively in the future.”  

Center Wellness Goes Viral

From stretch breaks in the middle of business meetings to fresh fruit deliveries to the office, from walking meetings on the nature trail to healthy options in the break room, we take wellness pretty seriously. In fact, we’re even taking it to YouTube.   Workplace wellness programs provide the access, opportunity, support and encouragement for all employees to actively participate in improving their health.  What exactly is workplace wellness at The Center?  It starts with a core value that supports work/life balance. This important firm value is our springboard.   Our program is built on the following foundation:  

• Create an employee driven Wellness Committee
• Identify Center team members who are either mentors or champions for healthy activities
• Conduct a needs and interest survey
• Post healthy tips on a bulletin board
• Promote messages from national health organizations
• Provide workshops on relaxation, stress management, exercise, nutrition, and work/life balance topics

Our first priority is to create a healthy environment for Center team members.  But in pursuit of our goal with innovative programs and employee engagement, we attracted the attention of the Blue Care Network Healthy Blue Living marketing group.  They liked what we were doing so much that the interviewed several team members including Gerri Harmer, Jennie Bauder, Tim Wyman, Troy Wyman and Laurie Renchik.  The YouTube videos they created will help spread the word about some of the successful programs we support.   Promoting work/life balance for all Center team members is a goal we take seriously!

Healthcare Forecast Breakfast

The Center’s health and wellness initiatives were recently recognized at a Healthcare Forecast Breakfast sponsored by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.

Center Operations Manager Gregg Bloomfield was one of three panelists leading the healthcare and wellness discussion.  Panel members provided insights on how health care reform and wellness and employee benefit programs are shaping business today. 

After the event, Gregg commented, “Small businesses have particular challenges and opportunities in the area of employee healthcare.   I was pleased to share with this audience the inspiring results of our in-house health and wellness program. 

The Center team leadership has worked very effectively with our community partners -- American Heart Association and Blue Care Network – to improve overall wellness at our workplace.”

Center team members and friends in attendance included:  Sandy Adams, Gerri Harmer, Marilynn Levin, Laurie Renchik, Kimberly Wyman and Troy Wyman.

There's Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2011

There's still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2011! You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $5,000 for 2011 ($6,000 if you were age 50 by December 31, 2011).

For most taxpayers, the contribution deadline for 2011 is April 17, 2011. Normally, your federal tax return must be filed by April 15. However, the IRS has extended the deadline to April 17 this year because April 15 is a Sunday, and April 16 is a holiday in Washington D.C. (Emancipation Day).

You can contribute to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or both, as long as your total contributions don't exceed the annual limit. You may also be able to contribute to an IRA for your spouse for 2011, even if your spouse didn't have any 2011 income.

A Busy February for Our Health & Wellness Team

Our crew kicked the month off with a Go Red for Women week by recognizing a GO RED activity each day.  The week’s festivities included:

Monday:           Pin Day – We handed out pins to wear all week in support.

Tuesday:          Smoothie Day – A donation was given for each smoothie.

Wednesday:    Red Snack Day – Enjoyed strawberries and chocolate dip.

Thursday:         Appreciation Day – Gave a heart to someone you appreciate at work & told them why.

Friday:              Wear Red Day – Wore red and a smile. 

Center staff continues to log their health and wellness activities on the American Heart Association ® Start! website.   Julie Hall won a gift card to Starbucks for logging the most activities this month with Sandy Adams right behind winning a gift card for Subway.

Guest speaker, Venette Hysmith from Affordable Wellness Massage spoke to The Center about the importance of deep breathing, proper stretching, and ergonomics for the workplace.  We all came away with some new and simple to use health nuggets to put into practice.

Souper Thursdays continues to produce delicious feast and donations to the Cystinosis Research Network.   Here’s a look at one of our favorites!

Governor Delivers Bright Forecast

Calling for the people of Michigan to take “relentless positive action,” Governor Rick Snyder delivered the keynote address for the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber’s Annual Government Forecast.  Five Center team members and their guests were on hand, along with about 300 attendees to hear Governor Snyder share an inspiring and positive message that focused on common-sense solutions for Michigan’s future and politics. 

Instead of putting the focus on divisive issues, he wants to find ways, during times of economic unrest, to move the state and its economy forward. After Governor Synder delivered his “the year of Good Government” themed message, attendees had ample opportunity to participate in a lively question and answer period.  Please visit Birmingham Patch for additional event highlights and news.

Center team members in attendance were Tim Wyman, Laurie Renchik, Dan Boyce, Melissa Joy and Troy Wyman.

Clients and Friends: Please Join Us

WHAT: 2012 Financial Planning & Investment Opportunities FOR: Clients and Friends of The Center Clients are encouraged to bring a guest WHEN: Offered at two convenient times. Please choose which time works best for you! Tuesday, February 14th, 10:30 am - noon Wednesday, February 15th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm WHERE: Bloomfield Twp Public Library 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 www.btpl.org CONTACT INFORMATION: Gerri Harmer at (248) 948-7900 or Gerri.Harmer@CenterFinPlan.com www.CenterFinPlan.com

Register Online Now! Register for: Tuesday, February 14th Register for: Wednesday, February 15th

Our Health & Wellness Crew Are at It Again!

Last week The Center got a reality check by inviting our insurance provider Blue Care Network to come in and to do individual Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments on most of staff.  Armed with some added motivation, that same week we listened to personal trainer Mark Floria from Franklin Athletic Club give advice, answer questions & demonstrate simple exercise techniques adding to our fitness toolbox.

We are back to our Souper Thursdays now that the holidays are over.  Planners, Tim Wyman and Laurie Renchik, cooked up some delicious soup for staff with donations going to the Cystinosis Research Network.  We would like to share a couple of our more popular recipes.

Summer Internship Opportunity

When:   May -August 2012 (Flexible)

Apply By:  February 28th, 2012

Description:

Intern(s) will work primarily with the Investment and Financial Planning Departments to complete research projects, mutual fund performance reporting, and database updates. Career development opportunities offered through education on basic financial planning concepts, self assessments, and staff shadowing. Looking for current college student(s) or recent graduate(s) seeking summer employment with a strong interest in investment research and financial planning. Applicants must have a strong desire to learn, be able to work independently, manage multiple tasks responsibly, and take initiative.

Part-Time & Paid: Yes  

If interested, please email your resume to:   

Jaclyn Jackson, Summer Internship Program Director 

Jaclyn.Jackson@CenterFinPlan.com

Phone: 248-948-7900