Department/Grade:   Business Education                                        Course: Personal Finance                            

Revision Date:  April, 2008               Required/Elective:     Elective           Course Length: One Year

Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

This class will deal with personal finance and is designed to give the student a basic fundamental understanding of a variety of personal finance issues including managing and balancing a checkbook, planning a monthly budget of income and expenses, applying for a personal loan and investing money for the long-term.

COURSE OBJECTIVES	CONTENT/TIMELINE OUTLINE
List adjustments that can be made to a workstation to make it more comfortable.	Identify strain and overexertion hazards
List adjustments that can be made to eliminate glare on a computer screen.	Identify ways to reduce eyestrain while using a computer monitor
List suggestions for relieving the stress of sitting too long at a computer.	Identify ways to reduce the stress of sitting
List safety hazards and preventive measures for each.	Identify fall hazards, equipment hazards, material storage hazards, electrical hazards, and fire hazards
List examples of reasonable accommodations made to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.	Identify accommodations made in the workplace and public facilities
Pay, Benefits, and Incentives	Gross pay, deductions, and net pay Benefits and incentives
Work Arrangements and Organizations	Flexible work arrangements Labor unions and professional organizations
Our Tax System	Types of taxes Components of the tax system
Filing Tax Returns	Definition of terms Preparing to file Preparing your income tax return
Budgeting and Record Keeping	Importance of financial planning Preparing a budget Personal records
Legal Documents and Filing Systems	Contracts and agreements Negotiable instruments Warranties Filing systems for personal records
Checking Accounts	Purpose of a checking account Opening a checking account Parts of a check Using your checking account Endorsing checks Types of checking accounts
Other Banking Services	Other banking services Bank fees
Savings Goals and Institutions	Why you should save How your money grows Where you can save
Savings Options, Features, and Plans	Savings options Selecting a savings plan Saving regularly
What Is Credit	Development of credit The vocabulary of credit Advantages and disadvantages of credit
Types and Sources of Credit	Kinds of credit Source of credit
Establishing Good Credit	Credit records Creditworthiness Getting started with credit
Credit Ratings and Legal Protection	Credit ratings Credit reports Credit laws
Using Credit Responsibly	Responsibilities of consumer credit Protecting yourself from credit card fraud Avoiding unnecessary credit costs
Analyzing and Computing Credit Costs	Why credit costs vary Computing the cost of credit
Getting Unstuck	Solving credit problems Bankruptcy
Reconsidering Bankruptcy	Major causes of bankruptcy Advantages of bankruptcy Disadvantages of bankruptcy
Making Better Decisions	The decision making process Economic wants and needs
Spending Habits	Factors that influence spending Planning major purchases Marketing strategies that influence spending
Housing Decisions	Housing alternatives Living arrangements Planning your move
The Rental Process	Advantages of renting Disadvantages of renting Rental agreements Landlord/tenant responsibilities
Why Buy a Home	Advantages of home ownership Costs and responsibilities of home ownership
The Home-Buying Process	Finding and selecting a home Obtaining financing Taking title to property
Buying a Vehicle	Steps in the car-buying process Financing your car Leasing a car Consumer protection for car buyers
Maintaining Your Vehicle	Cost of operating a car Extending the life of your car
RESOURCE MATERIALS	ASSESSMENT
Managing Your Personal Finances, 5^th Edition Thomson-Southwestern Publishing Co.	Chapter exercises Quizzes/Tests