I have always been involved with trying to help others and have found my financial planning skills can have a real impact in the community.
I was part of the initial planning efforts to kick off Financial Planning Week in 2008, providing free financial-planning advice to the underserved in the greater Bay Area to promote financial literacy. This is now an annual event and the East Bay Financial Planning Association chapter has even been recognized nationally.
With my husband being a Vietnam veteran, I care deeply about our U.S. armed forces veterans. I frequently work with them on veterans’ benefits planning. I am a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and volunteer at the local veterans’ center. Whenever I can help a vet I will.
As part of this effort, I have developed a network of relationships with CPAs, attorneys, and assisted-care facilities. Frequently, veterans—especially those getting up there in age—will not be aware of the benefits that are available to them. I will often work with an accredited attorney to help them investigate the assistance that is out there for them.
I take a great deal of satisfaction out of all of these efforts. I have also been very active in my local chapter of the FPA, acting as its president and chair. I think it is very important for everyone in our profession to give back to the community in some way. It is not only gratifying to help others with your skill set, it is a terrific way to work side-by-side with so many caring and involved people.
Disclosure: Nancy Hairsine is an investment advisor representative offering securities and advisory services through Foresters Equity Services, Inc., a registered investment advisor and member FINRA/SIPC. Lifetime Planning and Foresters Equity Services are separate and unaffiliated entities.
Post-publication note: Ms. Hairsine has been registered with LifeMark Securities Corp. since 2018.
Photography by Saul Bromberger and Sandra Hoover
