Women’s Independent Press

NOVEMBER 2011
Programs are held on Thursdays at 12:15 pm at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Downtown & Business, 612 Smithfield Street, Downtown. They are free and open to the public.

November 3 Scams and Frauds – At Home, Work and on the Internet
Rebecca Maier, Public Relations Director
Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Western Pennsylvania

Scammers are clever individuals who know exactly how to gain the trust (and often the money) of their innocent prey. Since opportunities for deception are all around us, we need to understand how some of these operations work. Ms. Maier will alert us about sweepstakes scams, Internet scams, work-at-home scams, identity theft and more. Find out how you can protect yourself and your family from those who want to take advantage of you.

November 10 Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Explained
Debra Blair, Vice President – Financial Consultant
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

What’s the difference between a mutual fund and an ETF? Did you know that ETFs combine the diversified investment feature of mutual funds and can be traded throughout the day? If you want to learn more about ETFs and how they work, here is your opportunity to get the information you’ve been looking for. Ms. Blair will explain the risks and benefits so you can determine if ETFs should be part of your investment portfolio.

November 17 Shop ‘Til You Drop: The Crisis of Consumerism
(DVD – 52 minutes)

Why do we feel the need to “keep up with the Joneses” and impress others with our material possessions? Are we allowing ourselves to be manipulated by the media and advertisers who convince us that we need much more than we actually do? Will buying more “stuff” really make us happier? This documentary provides a fascinating examination of the social, psychological and environmental costs associated with the never-ending pursuit of material happiness.

November 24 No Program - Happy Thanksgiving!