Life Planning   

Take your stock studies to the next level! Evaluate high-quality growth stocks selling at a fair price using the BetterInvesting (BI) online SSG PLUS tools. See www.betterinvesting.org. Find companies to study that meet BI guidelines. Learn shortcuts for collecting company research. Find essential information in 10-Ks and 10-Qs; skip the boilerplate. Present a stock to classmates using trend analysis, business modeling and revenue analysis. We require BI membership at the SSG PLUS level ($12.08 a month). This course is part lecture, part activity workshop, with outside reading and tools practice. A PDF copy of “The Stock Selection Guide & Portfolio Management Magic” is provided. This class is a prerequisite for next term’s DIY Stock Portfolio Management class. 

NOTE: DIY FUNdamental Stock Analysis for Beginners is a prerequisite for this course. Equities are for educational purposes only; no recommendations will be made. We do not present alternate investment strategies, such as technical analysis. We do not discuss penny stocks, ADRs, ETFs, index funds, bonds, mutual funds, cryptocurrencies or foreign stocks; nor do we recommend financial advisers. Newer Windows or Mac OS versions only. No iPads. BI SSG PLUS runs best on Google Chrome, and students are encouraged to download it before class begins. 

This course is designed for those with little or no knowledge of maintaining and repairing a home. You’ll learn how water, gas and electricity enter a home and how to shut them off; how to change the filter in your furnace; and how to clean the coils on your refrigerator. We’ll talk about how to replace a light switch and outlet, fix door problems, plumbing and electricity, and what tools to have. You’ll learn what to watch for outside the home, such as clogged gutters, water leaks, siding damage and invasive vegetation. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of buying through big-box stores versus independent merchants, how to choose a contractor and not get cheated, and much more. We’ll talk about what class members want to know about maintenance and repairs at home. 

If you are experiencing serious problems in your manufactured home community, read on. This course is designed for residents of manufactured and floating homes in Oregon, especially those age 55-plus. Using lecture discussions, videos and interviews, the instructor will provide the 10 steps to form a tenants’ association and familiarize students with Oregon Rental Statutes (ORS). Mediation and small claims information will also be provided. The instructor is not a lawyer, and this class is not intended to replace legal advice. The material will be presented in everyday language. Students are expected to come prepared to work.

NOTE: A PDF of ORS, Oregon Rental Statutes (Chapter 90) and the organizing forms discussed in class will be provided. Students must have the necessary software to use these items. No OSTA (Oregon State Tenants Association) membership is required for this class.

If you are experiencing serious problems in your manufactured home community, read on. This course is designed for residents of manufactured and floating homes in Oregon, especially those age 55-plus. Using lecture discussions, videos and interviews, the instructor will provide the 10 steps to form a tenants’ association and familiarize students with Oregon Rental Statutes (ORS). Mediation and small claims information will also be provided. The instructor is not a lawyer, and this class is not intended to replace legal advice. The material will be presented in everyday language. Students are expected to come prepared to work.

NOTE: A PDF of ORS, Oregon Rental Statutes (Chapter 90) and the organizing forms discussed in class will be provided. Students must have the necessary software to use these items. No OSTA (Oregon State Tenants Association) membership is required for this class.

If you are in retirement or getting ready for retirement, you must manage your income, investments and expenses to ensure that your money will last throughout your life. This course will help with identifying your sources of income (Social Security, pensions, investments and personal real estate) and coordinating your investments and retirement savings to cover expenses over time. Instruction will help you identify future cash flow needs and learn how to best supplement income with portfolio withdrawals. 

NOTE: Having taken the OLLI course Retirement and Your Money: What You Should Know, is recommended, though not required. 

Using research-backed strategies, the AARP Smart Driver course has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of accidents, help you become more proficient in the current rules of the road, improve your defensive driving techniques and help you with safe vehicle operation in today’s demanding driving environment. This course will focus on the vital relationship between the driver, vehicle and road, and look at how factors such as aging, medications and alcohol can impact driving. You’ll also learn about the latest vehicle safety features and technological advancements. Importantly, you will learn how to identify when it’s no longer safe to drive and how to find alternative travel options. This course may qualify you for a multiyear discount on your auto insurance. 

NOTE: A required materials fee of $20 to $25 (discount for AARP members) includes a comprehensive 120-page Participant Guide. Both days are required for course completion and the insurance discount. The fee will be collected on the first day by cash or check made out to AARP. Credit cards will not be accepted.