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.
|