Introduction to Personal Finance 101

Course Overview:

Personal Finance 101 offers an introduction to foundational education on managing personal financial matters. The class is structured to help students understand and apply key financial principles, enabling them to make informed decisions about their personal finances.

Course Objectives:

• To understand the basics of financial planning, including budgeting, saving, and investing.
• To learn about different financial products such as bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and insurance.
• To gain insights into debt management, credit scores, and their importance.
• To explore retirement planning and investment strategies for long-term financial security.
• To develop practical skills for making financial decisions and managing money effectively.

Key Topics:

1. Budgeting and Money Management: Techniques for tracking and managing expenses to align with financial goals.
2. Savings and Emergency Funds: Importance of saving, how to start, and strategies for building an emergency fund.
3. Credit and Debt Management: Understanding credit scores, how to use credit wisely, and strategies to manage and pay off debt.
4. Investing Basics: Introduction to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment vehicles. Basics of risk and return.
5. Insurance and Risk Management: Overview of insurance types (health, auto, life) and how they protect from financial risks.
6. Retirement Planning: Understanding retirement accounts (401(k), IRA) and strategies for effective retirement planning.
7. Tax Basics: Basic understanding of tax implications on income, investments, and deductions.

Target Audience:

This course is suitable for high school seniors, college students, and adults seeking a foundational understanding of personal finance.