Personal Finance Course Curriculum




INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL FINANCE

  • The journey towards comfortably managing your finances
  • Lessons learned by your instructor
  • The risk of inflation to the value of your savings
  • How much do you need to save for retirement?
  • How much is needed to save for children’s college tuition and expenses?
  • How much is needed to save for future health care costs?
  • The cost of a financial planner to your savings



DISABILITY INSURANCE

  • What is disability insurance (DI)?
  • Why is important to have DI?
  • What is the elimination period for a DI policy?
  • Concepts in the purchase of a DI policy
  • Pros and Cons of different DI policy riders (optional benefts)
  • Factors that influence ability to attain DI as well as the price for DI


LIFE INSURANCE

  • What is life insurance?
  • Why is it important to have life insurance?
  • Key features of life insurance
  • Whole-life vs. Term life insurance options
  • Determining your life insurance coverage needs


RETIREMENT

  • The importance of starting retirement planning and savings early
  • How much savings do you need for retirement?
  • How to build your savings plan for retirement
  • Investing for retirement


INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS

  • Key features of stocks
  • Key features of bonds
  • Understanding mutual funds
  • Understanding exchange traded funds (ETFs)
  • Key features of real estate investment trusts (REITs)


INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

  • Understanding correlation within an investment portfolio
  • Understanding the importance of diversification within a portfolio
  • Portfolio asset allocation concepts
  • Methods to maintain proper asset allocation


COLLEGE SAVINGS

  • Estimating future cost of college for a child
  • Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
  • 529 Plans
  • UTMA/UGMA accounts
  • Roth IRA


CAR OWNERSHIP

  • Considerations when thinking about purchasing a car
  • Leasing vs. buying
  • New or used car
  • Financing a car
  • Car insurance


HOME OWNERSHIP

  • Consumer credit concepts
  • Types of mortgages
  • Type of home ownership structure
  • Determining how much house you can afford
  • Steps in buying a house
  • Concepts in home owner’s insurance