
Personal
Finance
Series Entitled: "Dollars & Sense
1)
Your Personal Financial Plan
Lesson 1 describes the six steps of the financial planning
process and how to establish financial goals. It also emphasizes
the importance of setting realistic financial goals.
2)
Basic Economic Principles
Lesson 2 explains supply and demand, inflation, interest
rates, and how all of these affect the average consumer.
3)
Personal Career Strategies
Lesson 3 offers insight into career planning for both those
just starting out and for workers considering career adjustments.
4)
Money Management Strategies
Lesson 4 features the practical use of the time value of
money tables. This lesson also introduces the two main types
of financial statements; the balance sheet and the cash
flow statement.
5)
Planning Your Tax Strategy
Lesson 5 describes four types of taxes and the process of
taxation, reporting, and the elements of a responsible tax
strategy.
6)
Banking Services of Financial Institutions
Lesson 6 details different financial service accounts used
to manage money. Carmen Luna with Chase Manhattan Mortgage
Corporation explains the difference between a savings account
and a checking account.
7)
Introduction to Consumer Credit
Lesson 7 introduces responsible use of credit, including
credit cards, loans, and evaluation of interest rates.
8)
Choosing Sources of Consumer Credit
Lesson 8 focuses on the two key rules concerning the use
of credit: avoid using credit to buy non-essential items
and avoid using credit when you can afford to pay cash.
9)
Credit Problems
Lesson 9 identifies some important warning signs of potential
credit problems. A credit counselor explains the Consumer
Credit Counseling Service.
10)
Legal Aspects of Protecting Your Wealth
Lesson 10 reviews the legal issues affecting consumers,
including contracts, marriage, and bankruptcy.
11)
Consumer Purchasing Strategies
Lesson 11 explains the concepts behind a research based
purchasing strategy including preshopping activities, evaluation
of alternatives, selection and purchase, and postpurchasing
strategies.
12)
Transportation Costs
Lesson 12 deals with personal transportation issues including
leasing/buying, maintenance, and financing.
13)
The Finances of Housing
Lesson 13 compares renting vs. owning, and discusses the
home buying process. A mortgage loan officer explains what
a mortgage is, describes various sources for obtaining a
home loan, and compares different types of home loans.
14)
Personal Risk and Insurance
Lesson 14 depicts the need for different types of insurance:
personal liability insurance, disability insurance, and
renters' insurance and defines key terminology.
15)
Home, Auto, and Business Insurance
Lesson 15 illustrates how insurance can protect individuals
from unforeseen events that have negative consequences.
16)
Health and Disability Insurance
Lesson 16 provides an overview of health insurance, disability
insurance, and long-term care insurance. The difference
among HMOs, PPOs, and POS are examined.
17)
Life Insurance
Lesson 17 explains choosing the appropriate type/amount
of life insurance, and selecting an agent to assist you.
18)
Fundamentals of Investing
Lesson 18 introduces investing, including selecting an advisor,
asset allocation and risk analysis. A financial check-up
is also illustrated in detail.
19)
Investing in Stocks
Lesson 19 shows how stocks work, the types of stock available,
and the role of the stock broker. The five classifications
of stocks are described.
20)
Investing in Bonds
Lesson 20 describes the role of bonds as an investment,
including the inverse relationship between interest rate
movements and bond value.
21)
investing in Mutual Funds
Lesson 21 defines mutual funds, describes the difference
between closed-end and open-end funds, and explains how
the fee structure affects returns.
22)
Real Estate and Other Investment Alternatives
Lesson 22 illustrates options for direct and indirect investment
in real estate, including REITs, and collectibles. The Motley
Fools present the five worst investments.
23)
Retirement Planning
Lesson 23 reviews methods to determine financial goals for
retirement, and instruments to achieve them. Social Security
qualifications and benefits and some of the misconceptions
about that topic are included.
24)
Estate Planning
Lesson 24 defines probate and use of wills, trusts and other
tools to protect the value of your estate.
25)
Deception in the Marketplace
Lesson 25 examines the most basic consumer frauds. Some
of the common scams being posted on Internet sites and sites
where individuals can report scams are detailed.
26)
Evaluating Your Commitment to Your Financial Goals
Lesson 26 reveals some of the common excuses people use
to explain their failure to stick to a financial plan.
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