Life Planning   

Learn how to evaluate high-quality growth stocks and determine whether they are being sold at a fair price. We use the fundamental analysis methods as taught by BetterInvesting (www.betterinvesting.org) to over 5 million investors over the past 75 years. Learn how to form sound judgments, compare values between companies, make wise strategic portfolio choices, do research online and document your decisions. Students evaluate a company and practice articulating their judgments during workshops. This class combines lectures, activity workshops and one hour per week of outside video education and online tools practice. This class is a prerequisite for the spring course, DIY FUNdamental Stock Analysis: Beyond Beginners. 

NOTE: Maximum benefits will be achieved by attending all eight sessions. Equities are for educational purposes only; no recommendations will be made. We do not present alternate investment strategies. Penny stocks, ADRs, ETFs, index funds, mutual funds, financial advisers, cryptocurrencies and foreign stocks will not be discussed. Newer Windows or Mac OS versions only. 

In this mostly lecture class, we’ll cover the basics of stocks, bonds, real estate and alternative investments before moving on to address how to combine various asset classes into a diversified portfolio. Investment vehicles such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds will also be discussed, as well as passive versus active investing, market timing, investor behavior, socially responsible investing and tax considerations. At the end of the class students will have the tools to either do their own investing or be able to evaluate what their advisers are doing. No prior investing experience is required. Expect some class discussion and home assignments. 

NOTE: The content provided in this class is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide specific financial, investment, tax or legal advice. 

This course is designed for students who know little to nothing about bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, although those who have some subject knowledge and want a deeper understanding are also welcome. By the end of the course, students can expect to have enough knowledge to procure, manage and sell their own bitcoin (if they desire), as well as to understand the basics of managing those assets. Students can also expect to gain a greater understanding of the role bitcoin plays in the world’s political and monetary arenas, as well as the history of money and world economies. Each class will include instruction followed by group discussions and Q&A.

NOTE: This course is not recommended for “experts” in the cryptocurrency field.

While many Oregonians have advance directives for health care, there are other documents they can use to help shape the kinds and extent of health care they want as they age. This course explores directives, health care representation, HIPAA rules, physicians’ orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST), and Oregon’s Death With Dignity law to help students guide their own decision-making and care.

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.

Using research-backed strategies, the AARP Smart Driver course has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of accidents, boost knowledge of the current rules of the road, improve 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, medication and alcohol can affect 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: Required materials fee of $20 to $25 (discount for AARP members) includes a comprehensive 120-page Participant Guide to bolster learning and reinforce key concepts. Both days are required for course completion and insurance discount.