The world of personal finance is complicated.  There is no shortage of information on the internet telling us what to do with our money.  The issue is that we don’t know what to Google, and even if we did, we often don’t know how it applies to us. 

As young adults, the financial steps that we take now are critical to our ability to set ourselves up for success later in life, but it can be overwhelming to know where to start.  How do you balance paying off student loans with saving for retirement?  Now is the time to get the tools that we need to make smart decisions and get onto the right track.

In this class, we will be talking about…

• The basics of investing 
• The best types of retirement savings accounts
• The best ways to pay down debt
• Plus, other helpful money-tips to get you on the right track. 

This is not some boring old financial class.  Come along and let’s have some fun while we learn. 

Presented by Darren Leader, Partner, Simmons Capital Group

When asked why he chose a career in financial planning, Darren’s answer always centers around his love of learning. As a former music teacher, his passion for sharing knowledge with others started early, and it continues today. Whether teaching students about music or educating clients about investing, Darren’s goal remains the same: Empower people with information and skills to help them find peace and joy in their lives.

As the Director of Financial Planning and Research at Simmons Capital Group, Darren gets the opportunity each day to develop custom plans and strategies for clients, allowing them to make solid financial decisions. In addition, he keeps a watchful eye on economic markets to ensure the firm’s clients remain well-positioned and informed. 

Knowing that often people wait too long to begin proper retirement planning, Darren is determined to continue to expand the firm’s education programs to help educate individuals about the power of planning as early as possible.

Originally from South Africa, Darren and his wife, Chelsea, live in Schenectady, where he cherishes his role as father to their young daughter, Ruby. To relax, he continues to turn to music, as well as playing golf, travelling the world, and spending time with friends. He also sits on the board of trustees at his church and loves being active within his local community.