H eadlines
For Fiscal Health, Be Own First Responder
BEN FELD | JE FEATURE
IN AMERICA, we treat our first
responders with great respect, as
well we should. They put their
lives on the line for us every day.

And with a tip of the cap to
them, you are reminded there
is something you can do for
yourself each and every day: Put
your fiscal health on the line.

Keep it front and center and be
your own fiscal first responder.

No doubt you have finan-
cial goals. They will differ
from your friends and neigh-
bors, and sometimes they will
test your mettle. But you can
achieve them because, through
the course of your life, let’s face
it … your buck stops with you.

Sound retirement. College
savings. Bigger home. Starting
a business. Health care needs.

And more. It all can be accom-
plished if you choose to be your
own fiscal first responder.

What steps must you take?
The choices will vary and sta-
tistics will differ as to how
much you will need for what,
but this list will serve as an
initial fiscal first guide:
Jirapong Manustrong / iStock / Getty Images Plus
F INANCE
Pay yourself first.

Any time you have the
opportunity to contribute to
an employer’s retirement plan,
jump on it as fast as you can
and for as much as you can.

Especially when your account
will grow tax-deferred and your
employer may make matching
contributions. Insure to ensure your family
and/or business fiscal health. nate does occur and you must (life insurance) and your abil-
Sometimes, the unfortu- be prepared. Protect your life ity to earn an income (disabil-
ity insurance), as well as your
home and other key assets.

Plan for Uncle Sam.

Do you keep careful records
to meet your uncle’s April 15 tax
deadline every year? And are you
doing at least some initial plan-
ning with an eye toward your fis-
cal future? It is a good truth to
contemplate — the day may come
when you need estate planning.

expenses in a liquid asset such
as a money market or savings
account. Stuff happens, as they
say. Be ready if and when it
happens to you. And let’s hope
it doesn’t.

Some may have a longer list
of steps. Some shorter. But if you
are going to be your own fiscal
first responder, you can plan for
what you can control and be pre-
pared for what you can’t.

Develop your list. Be aware of
it every day but check it at least
Save for college costs.

once every three months. Work
They are rising faster than with the financial professional(s)
the overall inflation rate. with whom you feel comfortable
Prepare now. No children? Then keeping in mind your own par-
pay yourself first even more.

ticular circumstances.

Fiscal first. l
Establish an emergency
fiscal fund.

Ben Feld is an adviser with
Keep three to six months of 1847Financial in Conshohocken.

Be heard.

Email your letters
to the editor.

letters@jewishexponent.com 24
FEBRUARY 21, 2019
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



C ommunity / calendar
vchal / iStock / Getty Images Plus
us through the museum’s current
exhibition, “Make Me a Summary of
the World,” which highlights artist
Rina Banerjee. Hazak’s program is
open to all. Refreshments will be
served. Free to Hazak members, $10
to nonmembers. 1901 Kresson Road,
Cherry Hill, N.J.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23
Magic Show.

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim has scheduled an outing to the Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theatre,
2840 Pine Road, Philadelphia. Join us and see Scott Alexander headline a fabulous 90-minute show.

There are two options: the 8 p.m. show only for $36 or a light Mediterranean nosh at 6:35 p.m. in the
Karff Auditorium at CSS and then the show for $40. Call 215-677-1600 to RSVP or for information.

9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia.

THURSDAY, FEB. 21
Current Events.

Current events group with Bob
Rubin at 8:30 a.m. Beth Sholom
Congregation. 8231 Old York Road,
Elkins Park.

Mommy and Me.

Sherrie Turetsky, director of the
School of Early Learning at Old York
Road Temple-Beth Am, will lead a
weekly one-hour “Mommy & Me”
class at 9:30 a.m. 971 Old York Road,
Abington. Bible Study.

A member of Main Line Reform
Temple’s clergy leads a discussion of
the Tanakh, or Jewish bible, at 11 a.m.

This is an ongoing process, beginning
with Genesis and proceeding over
the course of the year. 10 a.m.

410 Montgomery Ave., Wynnewood.

Biblical Commentaries.

Study the commentaries found in
the Hertz Chumash, the Etz Hayim
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Chumash and the commentaries
of modern biblical scholars to
deepen our understanding of the
first book of the Bible. Har Zion
Temple. 1500 Hagys Ford Road,
Penn Valley.

Canasta. Weekly drop-in canasta game at 1
p.m. with the Sisterhood of Ohev
Shalom of Bucks County.

$2 donation. Lessons by request.

Call 215-958-6755 for information.

944 Second Street Pike, Richboro.

Stress Reduction.

This is the fourth week of a program
that will run through March 14.

This is organized by Beth Sholom
Congregation. Cost for the course
is $500, with Beth Sholom members
receiving a $100 discount. Payment
arrangements are available. For
registration, visit jefferson.edu/
mindfulness and select
“Public Programs” or email
mbsr@jefferson.edu. 8231 Old York
Road, Elkins Park.

Book Club.

Sponsored by Northeast NORC.

Located at Congregations of Shaare
Shamayim. Light lunch for $2. Starts
at noon; book discussion starts
at 12:30 p.m. Call 215-320-0351
to reserve a space or to request
transportation for NORC members
or to inquire as to the book title
for this month. 9768 Verree Road,
Philadelphia. Book Discussion.

The Book Discussion Group of the
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim,
will examine Sacrifice of Tamar by
Naomi Ragen. Ragen is an American-
Israeli Modern Orthodox Jewish
author and playwright. $2 donation.

Light refreshments. Noon-2 p.m. Call
215-677-1600. 9768 Verree Road,
Philadelphia. PAFA Visits Hazak.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine
Arts visits Hazak. We will welcome
Abby King from PAFA at 1 p.m. at
Temple Beth Sholom. King will guide
JEWISH EXPONENT
Shul Stitchers.

Knitters and crocheters, beginners
and advanced, you are needed. We
create a variety of items for those in
need. Hats, blankets and more. For
more information, contact the Har
Zion Temple office, 610-667-5000.

1500 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley.

FRIDAY, FEB. 22
Minyan, Men’s Club.

Learn new insights to the Torah
through wrestling with Rashi’s
interpretations and our understanding
of his reasoning at 7 a.m. Har Zion
Temple. Breakfast is served. Call 610-
667-5000 for information. 1500 Hagys
Ford Road. Penn Valley.

Active Adult Friday.

A day of activities from 8:30 a.m.-
1:30 p.m. Includes coffee, tea and
munchies, chair exercise or current
events, Kabbalat Shabbat service led
by Rabbi Beth Janus, kosher lunch
and entertainment by vocalist Bobby
Jones. RSVP for all programs 10
days in advance, either at the sign-in
table or by phone at 215-832-0539.

KleinLife: Center City. 2100 Arch St.,
Philadelphia. JDAIM Speaker.

Congregation Beth Or supports
Jewish Disability Awareness &
Inclusion Month throughout February.

This week’s Shabbat guest speaker
is Lynne Maleef, who does not let
progressive eye disease, which
limits her sight, stop her from being
an active participant in the Jewish
community. She will discuss how
she navigates daily life and makes
social connections, as well as her
work at the Apple store. 7:30 p.m.

at Congregation Beth Or. 239 Welsh
Road, Maple Glen.

Inclusion Shabbat.

Join us for a Shabbat of learning,
a Shabbat of togetherness, and a
Shabbat of belonging at 8 p.m.

NAME: SACK’S
JEWELERS; WIDTH:
1.75 IN; DEPTH: 3.62
IN; COLOR: BLACK;
AD NUMBER:
tops all offers for your
00083094 diamonds & jewelry.

We can pay more because
we know the true value.

Immediate cash for one
piece or an entire
collection. 201 Old York Road • Jenkintown, PA
(215) 885-7070
Open Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.

11am - 4:00pm
Closed Sunday, Monday & Tuesday
Main Line Reform Temple.

410 Montgomery Ave., Wynnewood.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23
Torah, Bagels, Coffee.

Begin Shabbat morning at Old York
Road Temple-Beth Am with an
interactive, engaging discussion of the
weekly portion including bagels and
coffee at 9 a.m. followed by a peer-led
Shabbat service at 10:15 a.m. Casual
dress is appropriate, and everyone is
welcome. For more information, call
215-886-8000. 971 Old York Road,
Abington. Torah Study.

Each week, our Main Line Reform
Temple rabbis lead us as we read
from the parshah, or weekly portion,
and learn about its context and
history. There is always a lively
discussion and anyone is welcome.

Call 610-649-7800 for information.

410 Montgomery Ave., Wynnewood.

Jewish Disability Awareness.

Meet Lior Liebling, the inspiration
for Praying with Lior. A family story
of triumph and challenge, most of
all it is a story infused with divine
inspirations, It chronicles Liebling’s
journey as a prayerful boy with
Down Syndrome to becoming a Bar
Mitzvah. Today, he is an accomplished
young Jewish adult living a full rich
life. Service begin at 9:15 a.m. and
Liebling’s presentation is at 11 a.m.

Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El.

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park.

See Calendar, Page 26
FEBRUARY 21, 2019
25