Schwab-Pomerantz got her passion for saving from her father.
“I’m a nervous Nellie and really diligent about saving for the future,” she says.
She described her first job at her dad’s company as being the “secretary’s secretary.”
“I filed and answered phones,” Schwab-Pomerantz says.
She later gave clients quotes over the phone.
“I called back clients and let them know their trades went through and at what price,” Schwab-Pomerantz says.
Today, she’s working for a higher purpose.
“Through our financial education programs, I’ve seen time and time again how financial knowledge enables people of all ages and all walks of life to make good decisions,” Schwab-Pomerantz says. “Financial literacy creates optimism, confidence and action. It truly can change lives and create better outcomes.”
People in their 50s must set clear and sound priorities, Schwab-Pomerantz says.
As an example, she addressed a common dilemma faced by parents trying to fund their own retirement and their children’s college education at the same time.
Schwab-Pomerantz’s message was clear: Pay yourself first.
“It’s like the airline emergency instructions to put on your own oxygen mask before you help your child,” she says. “You won’t be of much use to your child or anyone else if you can’t take care of yourself.”
Your child can get financial assistance to pay for college. There’s no loan, grant or scholarship to fund your retirement.
©2014 The Dallas Morning News
Distributed by MCT Information Services