Daya Seminar 2015: Right on the Money

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A panel of financial experts at the Daya seminar consisted of Anasuya Kabad, Financial Advisor from Jaykay Wealth Advisors (left)); Sheila Soukup, District Director and National Spokeswoman for Allianz Life Financial Services; Kristi N. Elsom, board certified Estate Planning Attorney with Fizer, Beck, Webster, Bentley and Scroggins; and Kelley Heng, CPA from Briggs and Veselka.

HOUSTON: Money is the essential ingredient of everyday life.  Yet, far too few women are financial experts and far too many leave the task of financial management to either their a male member of their family.

Daya Houston took a step toward improving this financial knowledge gap with its free, annual seminar that was focused this year on empowering South Asian women to take charge of their finances.

About 85 women attended the seminar at the Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land. Titled “Women and Money: Taking Charge of Your Financial Future,” Daya collaborated with Jaykay Wealth Advisors Inc, a financial planning and wealth management firm, to organize the event.

In an effort to promote economic independence, the purpose of the event was to show the audience how to come up with a comprehensive financial plan for themselves and their family, and how these financial plans may be adjusted over one’s lifetime.

Anasuya Kabad, financial advisor with Jaykay served as the moderator for a panel of financial experts. Kabad discussed five areas she looks at when coming up with a financial plan for clients. These areas are Retirement Income Planning, Investment Management, Risk Management, Tax Planning and Estate Planning.

Sheila Soukup, District Director and National Spokeswoman for Allianz Life Financial Services, discussed factors to consider when managing investments. Kristi N. Elsom, board-certified Estate Planning Attorney discussed the importance of estate planning and what important legal documents are needed. Last, Kelley Heng, CPA and Tax Supervisor at accounting firm, Briggs and Veselka, shared information on proper tax filing, especially regarding foreign accounts and property.

The program covered a variety of topics through a discussion of 4 examples of hypothetical women who were going through different stages in their life. The illustrations allowed for a lively discussion between the four panelists on what these hypothetical women might consider to prepare financially.

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Daya President Jyoti Kulkarni (top) welcomed the seminar attendees and Daya board member Fatima Mohiuddin provided an overview of Daya’s services to assist domestic violence victims.

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For example, when sharing the example of the young woman starting a family, the panelists discussed life insurance, setting up a guardian for the child, tax deductions for home ownership, and possible investment options for college education. With the speakers’ help, the audience was able to understand different ways to coordinate their savings, investing, estate planning and tax planning to create a holistic financial plan.

The program ended with a question and answer session during lunch. The audience asked many different questions to the panelists such as, “What type of insurance is right for me?” “What are the tax reporting requirements for foreign property?”, “How can I prepare financially to take care of aging parents?”, “What should we consider when setting up a guardian or an executor in my will?”, and “What is the value of working with a financial advisor?”

In four hours, a wealth of information was shared by expert panelists on financial planning, investing, estate planning and taxes. The take away from the event was the importance of coming up with a plan to help women accomplish their financial and personal goals.

As one speaker mentioned, “A goal without a plan is a wish.” By the end of Daya’s outreach program, the women in the audience were more inspired to come up with their financial plans and take charge of their financial future
Daya provides direct services to victims of violence through counseling, emotional support, legal clinic & advocacy, housing support, and limited financial support among other help

The annual seminar is conducted as part of Daya’s Community Outreach program, which promotes healthy, and happy relationships amongst South Asian families.

For more information, please call their helpline: 713-981-7645.