FORT PIERCE — The Indian River State College Center for Financial Literacy is offering a free Financial Literacy Seminar via the Zoom online meeting platform on April 5 and April 6, 2023. The lecture series will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Speakers will cover topics related to opportunities and challenges in the stock market, real estate market, budgeting, credit repair, and other financial challenges. The seminar is open to the public.

To register for the seminar visit https://irsc.edu/financial-aid/center-for-financial-literacy.html. A Zoom link will be emailed to you after you register. A certificate of attendance will be issued to those who attend both days.

The seminar schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, April 5 — Investing 101
• 6 p.m. Welcome by Dr. Heather Belmont, Ph.D.
Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs and CAO, Indian River State College
• 6:05 p.m. Introduction of Speakers by Maria S. Davis, D.B.A.
Professor, Social Sciences, Indian River State College
• 6:15 p.m. Stock Market: Challenges and Opportunities by Steven E. Kowalski, A.A.M.S.
Senior Resident Director Wealth Management Advisor Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
○ What are the current challenges and opportunities in the stock market?
○ What is the outlook of the stock market in 2023?

• 6:45 p.m. Should I rent or should I buy? by Michael Folkerds
Real Estate Broker, Joseph’s Premier Real Estate (California and Florida)

○ What are the changes in the real estate market since 2020?
○ Should I rent or should I buy?
○ What are the current risks and opportunities in the real estate market?

• 7:15 p.m. Question and Answer Session
• 8:00 p.m. Closing Remarks by Maria S. Davis

Thursday, April 6 — Dealing with Financial Trouble
6 p.m. Welcome by Scott Stein, Psy.D.
Dean of Liberal Arts, Indian River State College
6:05 p.m. Introduction of Speakers by Maria S. Davis, DBA
6:10 p.m. Why do I need a budget? by Laura Kauffman
Assistant Professor, School of Education, Indian River State College
○ What is a budget and why do I need it?
○ How do I make a realistic budget?
○ Why do I have to review and update my budget regularly?

6:30 p.m. Dealing with Financial Trouble by Joseph Semprevivo
Master Instructor, School of Business, Indian River State College
• What are the warning signs of financial trouble?
• How do I deal with financial trouble?
• How do I create a debt reduction plan?

6:50 p.m. Credit Repair by Jeff Wiltzius
Assistant Professor, Social Sciences, Indian River State College
○ When should I consider credit counseling?
○ How can I identify credit repair scams?
○ When should I consider bankruptcy?
○ How can I avoid alternative financial services?

• 7:10 p.m. Question and Answer Session
• 8:00 p.m. Closing Remarks by Maria S. Davis
For more information contact Maria S. Davis at medavis@irsc.edu or by calling 772-226-2557.