HapiMoney

MIT is offering a series of classes this January for those of you in Cambridge who are interested in learning more about financial planning.  Here’s an aggregated list:

Basics of Investing
Paul Gunning, Planning and Guidance Consultant, Fidelity Investments
Wed Jan 6, 12-01:00pm, W20-306
Tue Jan 12, 12-01:00pm, W20-407
Tue Jan 19, 12-01:00pm, W20-306

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session

This workshop provides investors with a basic understanding of stocks, bonds, and short-term investments; covers the concepts of asset allocation and diversification; and shows how determining risk tolerance and time horizon can help develop an appropriate investment strategy.
Contact: Paul Gunning, Fidelity Investments, 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com
Sponsor: MIT Human Resources
Cosponsor: Fidelity Investments

Personal Finance: 101
Mark Porter’05
Tue Jan 5, 05:30-07:00pm, 10-105, Bush Room

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Single session event

MIT has done a great job teaching us how to earn money.

Unfortunately, no one has taught us what to do with it when we get it! This hour long seminar will give you the basics of a financial planning approach. We will cover definitions and best practices regarding:

• Cash Reserves
• Liability Management
• Tax Planning
• Insurance Planning
• Savings Vehicles
• Investments

Class will be most useful for those already working or graduating in 2010, but all are welcomed! Taught by Mark Porter, CFP® Class of 2005.

Pizza will be served. Please register using the link below so we know how much food to order.
Web: https://alum.mit.edu/smarTrans/register-login.vm?eventID=38641&groupID=194
Contact: Katie Maloney, W98, (617) 452-3372, kcasey@mit.edu
Sponsor: Alumni Association

And for you ubernerds, and those interested in more advanced portfolio selection techniques, read on below. I’ll hopefully be going to these sessions, if I can make it.

Professional Portfolio Selection Techniques: From Markowitz to Innovative Engineering
Antonella Sabatini
Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Limited to 100 participants.
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: Students encouraged to attend all sessions; not mandatory

Reviews most important & widely used state-of-the-art Portfolio Selection Techniques, as used by capital firm wealth management institutions as well as for a personal financial portfolio. Introduces innovative methodologies, including the GAM model as a tactical asset allocation technique, with working examples. Gentle introduction to the subject, specifically targeted at undergraduates in Economics, EECS and other fields with interest in quantitative finance, economics and management, with emphasis on innovation and research

Pizza and beverages offered at last class.
Contact: Matthew Goldstein, austein@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Cosponsor: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

Introduction to Portfolio Management Techniques Part I
Antonella Sabatini
Review of the most important & widely used state-of-the-art Portfolio Selection Techniques. Targeted at people with no knowledge of portfolio management and investment. Process of portfolio construction – Asset allocation: strategic asset allocation; tactical asset allocation. Portfolio
Optimization, Markovitz’ model, Black & Litterman (B&L) model.
Tue Jan 19, 12-01:30pm, 4-237

Introduction to Portfolio Management Techniques Part 2
Antonella Sabatini
Conclusion of the theory presented in first session. Working examples of B&L in Excel and/or Matlab. Lab session.
Wed Jan 20, 12-01:30pm, 4-237

Introduction to the GAM Model Part 1
Antonella Sabatini
The GAM Tactical Asset Allocation model will be presented. Quick review of PID feedback control theory. Prereq: having taken 18.03, 8.02, 6.003, and material covered in first two sessions helpful.
Thu Jan 21, 12-01:30pm, 4-237

Introduction to the GAM Model Part 2
Antonella Sabatini
Conclusion of the theory presented in third session. Working example of the GAM model in Excel. Attendees are welcome to bring their own portfolio of securities for a practical application (contact Antonella Sabatini for further
info: asabatin@mit.edu). Lab Session. Pizza and beverages
Fri Jan 22, 12-01:30pm, 4-237