Foundations in Personal Finance
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Ayres
E-mail: [email protected]
Planning Time: 6th Hour
Text: Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance
DESCRIPTION
Personal Finance is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential. Topics covered will include income, money management, spending and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets, simulate use of checking and savings accounts, demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management, and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions.
We will cover these topics: SAVINGS, INVESTING, CREDIT, DEBT, FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, MONEY MANAGEMENT, INSURANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT, INCOME, and CAREERS
Every day, EVERY LESSON will matter. These will be lessons that will make a difference in the choices you make with your money every day of your life.
BE PREPARED
• Be in your seat when the bell rings
• Class begins promptly each day
• Bring your notebook, something to write with, and a positive attitude
• Bring your worksheets and handouts. You get one copy. Hold on to these.
GOOD MANNERS
• Raise your hand if you have a question
• Respect your peers, your teacher, and anyone who enters the room
ASSIGNMENTS
• Make sure you put YOUR first and last name on all your work, the current date and hour
• You can check your grades ANY time in class in Infinite Campus—please make this a good habit and stay informed
MAKE-UP WORK
• You are responsible for all the material we cover
• The best way to learn is to be here
• It’s your responsibility to find out what you missed and need to make up
CHEATING
• Zero tolerance—this includes copying, pasting, printing extra copies of your assignment, using other people’s work or working in pairs when group work has not been designated.
• Your password is to be kept confidential—this is your responsibility
END OF CLASS
• Remain in your seat until the bell rings and you are dismissed
• Make sure your workstation is straightened up and your chair is pushed up under the table
• All trash goes in the trash can or recycle bin
CLASSROOM RULES and PROCEDURES
• Be on time, on task, and prepared to LEARN everyday
• RESPECT yourself, your peers and teacher at all times
• Be responsible for your own LEARNING
• CLEAN UP after yourself and your peers
• Keep all personal electronics PUT AWAY
• Be in your seat and on time. Tardies are noted and referred to the appropriate administrator
• Students may not modify any settings on the computer. This includes printer settings, screensavers, desktop wallpaper, and desktop icons
• After using the machines, always make sure you are properly logged off
• Place chairs under desks after class
• Workstations should be kept clean
• No GAMES! No GAMES! No GAMES!! Unless given permission from teacher
Course Timeline / Assignments / Projects / Assessments
Week 1: Chapter 1: Introduction to Personal Finance
Course overview, parent interview, what is personal finance, budget building
Week 2: Chapter 2: Savings
Saving is an exercise of character, reasons to save, the 5 foundations, compound interests
Week 3: Chapter 3: Budgeting
Balancing a checking account, calculating net worth, importance of a zero-based budget
Week 4: Debt
The true cost of ownership, debunking the credit myths, credit bureaus and identity theft
Week 5: Project: Career Family Budgeting
Week 6: Life After High School
Beware and be wise, opportunity costs, the cost of being cool, marketing madness
Week 7: Bargain Shopping
Seven rules of negotiating, finding great deals, double discounts, computing discounts
Week 8: Investing and Retirement
Investing 101, stocks, mutual funds, Roth IRA, rule of 72, employer benefits, retirement
Week 9: HTMW Stock Challenge
Week 10: Insurance
Protecting your wealth, homeowners and renters insurance, auto insurance, blanket
insurance
Week 11: Taxes
Types of taxes, reading a pay stub, tax rates, completing and filing taxes
Week 12: Giving
Make an impact, generosity, community needs, review for final exam
Week 13: Review for final exam
Take final exam