Arlington Community Education

Please note: This class will take place at the Gibbs School. The investment landscape has changed significantly in recent years, and many near retirement need to understand how to prepare for the future with less risk and volatility. We will explore strategies for developing a hierarchy of spending and investing, aiming for better outcomes regardless of market performance. Learn how to manage your 401(k), 403(b), and pension as retirement approaches, and what to consider with target funds. Discover why investment strategies must change in retirement, when a Roth IRA makes sense, the truth behind annuities, common financial pitfalls, and alternatives to protect your nest egg from long-term care costs. While this class is essential for those nearing retirement, applying these strategies sooner can improve both retirement outcomes and overall financial health.

Vacation homes often hold a family’s most cherished memories, but transferring them to the next generation can be tricky and may lead to conflict. Adding children as co-owners during your lifetime can result in unexpected tax consequences and expose the property to their creditors. This class will cover planning strategies for a smooth transition, including selecting owners, dividing usage time, making decisions about repairs and upkeep, and exploring options to fund future costs. Bring your toughest questions to get expert guidance on preserving your vacation home for generations to come.

Your house tells a story. Its age and architectural style, its place in the community, and the lives of the people who have lived there all contribute to this history. Get an introduction to the methods and sources of researching your home’s history. We’ll look at property deeds and historical atlases, town directories, and annual reports. See how probate records and census listings reveal the families who lived in your house and in your neighborhood. Begin compiling research after the first class and share what you’ve uncovered in the second. Leave with ideas for next steps to finish your house’s story. Please note: Bring the address of a property you wish to investigate or choose one from the instructor’s list of examples.  Most of our resources will be Arlington-specific, but the research techniques are applicable broadly.