Financial Planner
Checklist: Father’s Day Weekend
Things to do this weekend with your money:
The days of fathers being the family’s sole breadwinner are long past, and in many households responsibility for money and investment decisions is shared. This Father’s Day weekend, consider sharing with your family more of the important financial information it needs to know.
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Today: Organize your finances.
Buy or make an organizer that lists the type and location of your bank and brokerage accounts, insurance policies, credit cards, loans and mortgage. Important papers such as wills, trusts and birth and marriage certificates should also be indexed. Among your options: “The Beneficiary Book” by Marty Kurtz (Viking Press, $30) and “Personal Recordkeeper,” a $50 software program from Nolo Press.
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Saturday: Educate a loved one.
Give someone who is afraid to learn more about personal finance a book that can help him or her overcome fears. George Clason’s “The Richest Man in Babylon,” Eric Tyson’s “Personal Finance for Dummies” and Barbara Stanny’s “Prince Charming Isn’t Coming: How Women Get Smart About Money” (see below) are gentle introductions to the world of money.
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Sunday: Pass along your thoughts.
Share your theories about investing, money or charitable giving. The “Beneficiary Book” has pages specifically for you to ruminate on these topics, or you can write an open letter to your family. Not only could you impart your philosophy to the next generation, but your thoughts could help them make important financial decisions should something happen to you.
Weekend Viewing/Listening
Some highlights of this weekend’s business broadcasting. (All times are PDT)
Tonight
* 8:30 p.m.: “Wall Street Week With Louis Rukeyser” (KCET/PBS) (also airs at 6 p.m. Saturday on KOCE).
Saturday
* 9 a.m.: “The Motley Fool Radio Show”: “Stocks for Dads” first hour; “Amazon.com: Short Story or Great American Novel?” second hour; “School the Fool” contest during the third hour. (KFI-AM 640 Los Angeles)
* 11:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m.: “Moneyweek” (CNN)
* 12:30 p.m.: “Managing With Jan Hopkins” (CNN)
* 1 p.m.: “Money Talk” (KABC-AM 790)
* 1:30 p.m.: “Your Money” (CNN)
* 4:30 p.m.: “Weekend Squawk Box” (CNBC) Host: Joe Kernan. Topics: Interest rates and tobacco stocks. (Repeats at 11 p.m.)
Sunday
* 10:30 a.m.: “Wall Street Journal Report” (KABC)
* 1 p.m.: “Money Talk” (KABC-AM 790)
* 3:30 p.m.: “Business Unusual” (CNN). CNNfin’s Tony Guida visits Mel Goodes, former CEO of Warner Lambert.
Weekend Reading
* “Prince Charming Isn’t Coming: How Women Get Smart About Money” by Barbara Stanny ($12.95, Penguin). Stanny, daughter of an H&R; Block founder, blew two fortunes before she stopped depending on the men in her life to manage her money. She explains how to overcome emotional and psychological blocks to learning about money.
