Your Money Bus on CNN This Weekend

Gerri Willis of CNN was at the Your Money Bus stop in Harlem earlier this week and we just learned that her report will be airing this weekend on Open House. In fact, she just ran a small piece this morning.

Check it out!

Your Money Bus Tour Stopped By The NASDAQ

This post is a couple days late because we were waiting for the photographic evidence. But we just got them from the NASDAQ. Here you see the bus in front of the NASDAQ tower in Times Square. Posing are NAPFA volunteers and representatives of TDAMERITRADE Institutional.

Other Thoughts From The NYC Stop

NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor Clare Stenstrom talked with some folks in Harlem about their concerns. Here are a couple of her experiences:

A man came up to the bus and he just was released from jail, has no job and no idea what to do. We referred him to Project Renewal (a homeless shelter) or the Doe Fund that has a work program to help people get back on their feet.

Another person, Ruby, wants her daughter to go to college but knows she will never have the money to pay for it. We suggested that her daughter go to community college for two years, keep her marks up and transfer to a City University where she should be able to get financial aid and scholarships, providing she has good marks.

Renee Ross, another NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor, had the pleasure of talking with other people about their concerns:

Today I had a chance to provide financial advice to the residents of Harlem via a Money Bus program. I had a chance to speak to people of all ages about various financial issues. There was an older retired woman who has an annuity with her previous employer. She is required to take a total withdrawal and wanted to get some advice about where to put the funds. Later I spoke to a young woman who wanted to learn about mutual funds and investing for her future. After that I spoke to a young man who owns a home, has been investing in his and his wife’s retirement account and wanted to get information about college funding.

There were many other people that had questions about finances. Some were as simple as, what should I so with my retirement account right now. The opportunity to talk with individuals in the neighborhood about financial issues is a wonderful thing. I was told by several people that I spoke to that being able to talk to someone one-on-one was really appreciated.

Photos From The Today Show!

We had a wonderful time at the Today Show to tell people about our important message. Hopefully you were ablde to see it. If not we will be posting the link in the www.YourMoneyBus.com website!

Questions From The NYC Stop

Robin wanted to know what she could do about her $4000 credit card debt. She is on disability and can’t pay her minimum payments. It’s now with a collection agency. We advised that she negotiate her debt. Most of the time a collection agency buys the debt from the original creditor for a reduced amount. Robin was very happy to hear about this. She would negotiate a lower payment and offer a payment plan that her budget would allow.

Lavinia wanted to know whether she should take her IRA savings out of the stock market. We advised her to keep on to them. After the steep drop the last few days the stock market has gone up again. It might remain volatile for a while but as long as she doesn’t sell it now, she doesn’t have a loss. She should wait till the value goes up again. She can wait because she doesn’t need it at this time.

Anja Luesink
NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor

Time For The Today Show

The bus arrived at the Today Show at 4:30 am to get ready for the appearance on camera October 15th. Here is a snapshot early this morning!

Harlem Bus Stop Photos

We are having a great time in Harlem. We have had so many people come up to us today with some very trying situations they find themselves in. Although we want to answer everyone's question right there on the spot we don't always have the specific answers they are looking for. No matter what the stop today has been enjoyable and rewarding.


Below, Laura Mattia being interview by Gerri Willis of CNN for a report. Should be on TV soon so tune in!

Laura Mattia on Getting Your Money's Worth with Judith West

In preparation for our stop in NYC NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor Laura Mattia, CFP went on Getting Your Money's Worth with Judith West to discuss the Your Money Bus tour and what we are doing on the road.

Check it out!

This Week The Bus Is In NYC

The bus is on it's way to NYC this week on October 14-15. As of this moment (1:00 pm) we are sitting in front of the Adam Clayton State Office Building in Harlem getting ready for a free financial advice event for the residents here from 2 to 6 pm today. If you are in the are come on out!

Also, we are going to have the bus and our terrific volunteers on the Today Show tomorrow (October 15th) all morning!

More updates to come!