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FUNDING YOUR DREAMS hosted by STEFANIE POWERS
Stefanie
Powers' own financial experiences make her the ideal host for FUNDING YOUR DREAMS. While she is best known for her portrayal
of glamorous society wife and private eye Jennifer Hart on the long-running series HART TO HART, she is a serious and well-informed
businesswoman who oversees the running of a major foundation. This real-life role makes her a perfect choice to host FUNDING
YOUR DREAMS a seven-part series on personal financial planning which will be seen on public television stations across the
country beginning in March 1998. "I am a prime example of someone who was pulled kicking and screaming into taking an active
role in dealing with money," Powers says with a smile. A friend in fund management persuaded her to get more involved in her
financial future, not just for herself and her family, but for the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, the foundation established
in memory of the late actor to support animal conservation. When Bill died, I was faced with the enormous task of creating
a financial program that would ensure that the work he started would go on in perpetuity, long after I am gone. I had to answer
to a board of directors and when you are dealing with donor money there is a much greater responsibility to account for its
use." This led Powers to acquire as much information as she could about the world of financial planning and investments. With
all the advancements in user-friendly technology, she discovered a multitude of sources and available information. Her interest
ultimately led to her joining the boards of three mutual funds. "I'm convinced that we must take responsibility for our own
financial needs is the future," she says, "and this series shows people exactly how to do it." Powers says that it's never
too early to start planning -- but it also is never too late. She recommends getting into a network of some kind, whether
it is a group of fellow investors who study the market or by establishing a relationship with a reliable broker. "There are
so many options available for people seeking to invest their money and the information is all out there. The more resources
you have to gather the facts, the more successful you are going to be." FUNDING YOUR DREAMS is a production of KCET/Hollywood
and was underwritten by Merrill Lynch.
Volume 1 Creating a Financial Plan
In this
program viewers learn to calculate their net worth and take a realistic look at how much retirement income they will need.
It reviews budgeting techniques, how to boost saving through tax deferred pension plans, and how to create a Monthly Target
Savings Goal that provides for retirement dreams.
Volume 2 The Emerging Investor
Being an expert
is not necessary to invest profitably, but understanding your risk tolerance and how basic investment vehicles function is
critical. Viewers are shown how to make their money grow through investing. A combination of advice from experts as well as
first person accounts from individuals encourage viewers to take the investment plunge with confidence.
Volume 3 Real Estate Investments
For viewers
who want to diversify their nest egg, provide a strong hedge against inflation or need a post-retirement income, personal
stories in this episode illustrate the value of real estate, the time honored method for building wealth, often at a 10% return
or better.
Volume 4 Estate Planning
Everyone has an estate,
whether it is a mansion or a minivan, and we all need to plan for the distribution of our estates. Through expert advice and
some cautionary tales, viewers will understand from marriage to retirement how necessary it is to have a will, and how trusts
can plan an integral role in providing for an elderly parent or incapacitated loved one.
Volume 5 Your Own Business
More than ever,
people are choosing to start their own business However, starting a successful business depends on having a smart financial
plan. This episode will profile three different companies, each at a different stage in the life cycle of a business, and
examine effective ways to fund expansion and address issues such as cash management systems, insurance and benefit plans for
employees.
Volume 6 Kids and Money
Many children think
that ATM machines just create money. This episode will explain how to teach children to use their incomes wisely and how to
live independently when the time comes for them to leave home. Through family stories, the viewer finds out how to turn kids
into super savers and savvy shoppers.
Volume 7 Retirement
This program explores
the many retirement options available in todays workplace, as well as the retirement alternatives resulting from the current
tax reform act. Guests experts will focus on the 401(K) and 403(B) retirement plans and discuss the pros and cons of the new
Roth IRA account, among others.
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