Personal Financial Planning

Lesson 1: The Financial Services Industry. The functions and occupations of people in financial service organizations; financial industry trends and the economy.

Lesson 2: What is Personal Financial Planning? The financial planning process; developing and achieving personal financial goals; factors that influence financial planning; opportunity costs and the time value of money.

Lesson 3: Money Management Strategy. Planning for successful money management; a system for establishing and keeping personal financial records; measuring financial progress; the budgeting process; proven techniques for prudent savings.

Lesson 4: Income Tax Planning. Taxes and financial planning; income tax fundamentals; calculating taxes and filing a federal income tax return; tax assistance and the audit process; tax planning strategies.

Lesson 5: Banking Services of Financial Institutions. Selecting the right financial institution; evaluating savings plans and costs and benefits of various checking accounts; selecting payment methods.

Lesson 6: Consumer Credit. Comparing and applying for different types of credit; assessing credit capacity; avoiding and correcting credit mistake.

Lesson 7: Choosing a Source of Credit. Sources of consumer credit; determining the cost of credit; managing debt; using consumer credit counseling services; declaring personal bankruptcy.

Lesson 8: Consumer Purchasing Strategies & Legal Protection. Financial impact of consumer decisions; practical purchasing strategies; resolving consumer complaints; legal options available to consumers.

Lesson 9: Finances of Housing. Evaluating housing alternatives; costs and benefits of renting a residence; the home-buying process; the costs related to purchasing a home; strategies for selling a home.

Lesson 10: Home & Auto Insurance. Insurance and risk management; cost factors of property, home, and liability insurance; analyzing automobile insurance coverages.

Lesson 11: Health & Disability Insurance. Evaluating health care costs, policies, and coverages; the need for disability income insurance; private sources of health insurance and health care; government health care.

Lesson 12: Life Insurance. Determining life insurance requirements; types of life insurance companies and policies; important provisions in a life insurance contract; buying life insurance; annuities.

Lesson 13: Investing Fundamentals. Preparing for an investment program; factors affecting the choice of investments; investment alternatives; reducing investment risk; sources of investment data.

Lesson 14: Investing in Stocks. Common stock; preferred stock; evaluating a stock issue; buying and selling stocks; long-term and short-term investment strategies.

Lesson 15: Investing in Bonds. Characteristics of corporate bonds; why corporations issue corporate bonds; why investors purchase corporate bonds; federal, state, and local government bonds and debt securities.

Lesson 16: Investing in Mutual Funds. Why investors purchase mutual funds; classifying mutual funds by investment objective; evaluating mutual funds; the mechanics of a mutual fund transaction.

Lesson 17: Real Estate & Other Investments. The pros and cons of investing in real estate; investing in precious metals, gems, and collectibles.

Lesson 18: Retirement Planning. Analyzing assets and liabilities for retirement; living expenses; housing; budgeting for living on retirement income.

Lesson 19: Estate Planning. Why estate planning makes sense; personal and legal aspects of estate planning; choosing estate planning professionals; types of wills; types of trusts and estates; analyzing the effects of government estate taxes.