Take His Advice but Give Thirtysomething

In journalism, 30 means the end. In Calabasas, it’s a beginning.

Once a month, Alan Ungar, president-owner of Financial Counsel Inc., opens the doors of his office to proffer 30 minutes of financial advice to people “in crisis or transition--layoffs, divorces, illnesses, poor planning, even just a streak of bad luck.” In return, unabashedly borrowing from the acclaimed TV series, Ungar exacts a fee of “thirtysomething.”

“The thirtysomething,” says Ungar, “is open to the discretion of the client. It can be anything from 30 cents to 30 bran muffins, 30 paper towels, 30 long-playing country and bluegrass records. . . .” Consultations are on each month’s third Thursday, which has a nice ring too.

Any contribution is welcome, with the possible exception of 30 pieces of silver, and most proceeds will be distributed to two local nonprofit organizations: food and paper products to Haven Hills, a shelter for battered women and abused children; all funds to Beyond War, a grass-roots volunteer group dedicated to resolving differences without conflict.

Bluegrass records, though, are not tax-exempt, Ungar points out. They’ll go directly into his private collection.