Become an Excellent Investor with New Communiversity Courses

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “financial planning?” Chances are, financial planning means something different to everyone. Many investors are overloaded with information.

“There is so much of what I like to refer to as ‘financial noise’ out there that the average investor gets inundated with, making it difficult to figure out what’s important to their financial success,” said Doug Wondrely, a financial advisor with more than 25 years of industry experience. “Financial planning is not a one-size-fits-all exercise.”

Wondrely will teach three new financial planning courses for Communiversity this winter, each of which will help students see through the financial noise to gain an understanding of the resources they need.

“I break the information down in its simplest form in an easy-to-understand format, removing the anxiety that can sometimes be present when involved in such an important task in one’s life,” Wondrely said.

Wondrely will teach

Investing 101

on Feb. 7 at the University of Cincinnati's Victory Parkway campus. This course gives students a good understanding of a wide range of topics such as: investing in stocks, bonds and mutual funds; ETFs; annuities; understanding the risk associated with each, along with risk tolerance; the fundamental differences as well as the pros and cons of each; and exploring common strategies and philosophies for constructing a portfolio. Both new and experienced investors are sure to gain something from this course.

For those planning their estates, Wondrely teaches

Protecting Your Assets: Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney

. Students will learn the differences between wills, trusts and powers of attorney; review the probate process and how to position assets in order to avoid it; reveal the potential fees associated with settling an estate; and see how to protect a portfolio during a market downturn. The course takes place on March 21.

Finally, Wondrely will take a close look at important topics that affect retirement, such as how to maximize Social Security, when to file for benefits, and what the benefits are for couples, widows and ex-spouses in

Navigating the Medicare Maze

. Students also will review how federal or state pension plans affect Social Security benefits and learn a strategy to avoid Medicare penalties. Navigating the Medicare Maze takes place on March 28.

Each course if offered for a small investment of $25. All courses meet on UC’s Victory Parkway Campus. Online webinar access is also available for those that cannot be present for courses.

Wondrely said that during his time as a fiduciary, he noticed that high school students don’t learn enough about managing money, the importance of saving and investing, and staying away from credit card debt. He also saw adults being taken advantage of by unscrupulous, so-called advisors.

“Being able to team up with a well-respected entity such as UC via the Communiversity program allows me to do my small part in educating the public, arming them with the tools to make informed decisions,” Wondrely said. “We are so fortunate in this area to have such a diverse, comprehensive and trusted program such as Communiversity to grow.”

Communiversity offers fun and innovative continuing education courses to enrich the lives of those around Cincinnati and beyond. With locations both on UC Victory Parkway Campus and around Cincinnati, Communiversity makes it easy for working professionals, retirees and other lifelong learners to develop new skills and hobbies.

To register for these or any other Communiversity class, visit our

website

or call (513) 556-6932 and press 2.  UC faculty and staff are eligible for a 50% discount on Communiversity courses (see

FAQs

for restrictions).