Free Financial Advice, No Strings Attached

“Everyone should have access to financial planning in their lifetime,” says Christopher Tasik, chairman of the steering committee for the first Stamford Free Financial Day on Saturday, April 30.

Tasik, a financial planner and wealth manager with his firm, Tasik Financial Strategies, LLC, is hoping that Stamford-area residents will take advantage of free financial planning advice and guidance from professional financial planners at the event, which will be held at the UConn Stamford campus, 1 University Place, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tasik will be joined by a group of 15 to 20 experts from the Financial Planning Association® and Certified Financial Planner™ professionals, all volunteering their time and expertise to work with area residents one-on-one to address important financial issues.

“This is the first time an event of this type is being held in Connecticut, and we’re expecting from 150 to 200 to attend,” he said.

Stacey Tisdale, author of the book, The True Cost of Happiness: The Real Story Behind Managing Your Money, and a reporter on business and financial issues for more than 15 years, will begin the day with the keynote address in the GenRe Auditorium.

Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia, who will give a welcome from the city, said: “I am pleased to support this program, which will benefit so many of our citizens from all walks of life.”

Financial planners will be set up at tables to meet one-on-one with attendees to answer questions on budgeting, getting out of debt, income taxes, dealing with mortgage foreclosures, paying for college, estate planning and insurance, among many topics.

Tasik promises that the advice will be offered on a “no strings attached” basis and planners will not give out business cards or sell financial products or services.

“Financial planning is not just for wealthy people,” he said. “It’s for everyone all across the spectrum of their lives.”

The event will also feature a series of classroom-style workshops, going on concurrently, that will address key personal finance topics:

• Take Charge of Your Credit Rating (Credit/Debt Management)
• Managing Your Money in Hard Times
• Real World Retirement Planning
• Investing Basics
• Why We All Need a Will

Tasik notes that similar free financial planning events were held across the country last fall, and he anticipates holding a second day in Stamford, probably next spring.

Free online registration for the April 30 Stamford Financial Planning Day is available at http://www.FinancialPlanningDays.org/Stamford, or by calling (877) 861-7826. Parking will be free in the Stamford UConn garage. Walk-ins are also welcome.