Personal Finance

Course Content from McGraw-Hill

Course Number: FIN101

Download Course Syllabus

Overall Rating
Content Rating

This course will equip you to plan and manage your financial affairs. It will focus on developing practical methods of organizing your financial information, interpreting your personal financial position and cash flow, setting achievable and worthwhile goals, and implementing actionable plans and risk management techniques to meet those goals. Specific topics to be covered include money management, insurance, and investing.

This Course Now Includes a FREE eTextBook

Buy the course for only $59 and get a copy of "Focus on Personal Finance" at no additional cost

By including eTextbooks in our courses, StraighterLine is helping students achieve their academic goals by providing best-in-class tools to make studying more convenient.

etextbook included

college credits

Self Paced

Business

Overall Rating
Content Rating

10/29/14 by brycem

The course was perfectly fine, I felt decently educated and prepared for the tests.

Content Rating	40 100
Overall Rating	40 100

10/29/14 by brycem

The course was perfectly fine, I felt decently educated and prepared for the tests.

Content Rating	40 100
Overall Rating	40 100

9/30/14 by kathyw

Very good basic financial information to help students learn to be educated consumers.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

9/30/14 by kathyw

Very good basic financial information to help students learn to be educated consumers.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

9/6/14 by tbecerra

it was structured and clear

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

6/16/14 by jsrmar

Glad I will not have to take again.

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

6/16/14 by jsrmar

Glad I will not have to take again.

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

6/9/14 by tbecerra

it was structured and clear

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

9/25/13 by will.s

It was a very well put together course with easy maneuverability throughout the course area.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

9/21/13 by pavin.rakhra

Great course, good basic knowledge, good variety of formats to study from

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

9/10/13 by strozierc

It was a review of personal financial needs for day to day living.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

8/7/13 by ryanaschwab

Great overview of the financial industry and personal finance.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

7/8/13 by jarren543

Great course, easy to learn!

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

5/2/13 by carora

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

5/2/13 by carora

This course provide with a detailed knowledge about managing the finance in day to day life and planning for the retirement.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

4/29/13 by martin0616

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

3/25/13 by awebb1198

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

1/31/13 by saf613

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

1/16/13 by eafowler3

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

12/26/12 by a.e.lynn

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

12/20/12 by dave

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

12/20/12 by dave

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

12/6/12 by chrislane125

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

12/1/12 by Manonamission366

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

11/5/12 by johnnyc

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

11/5/12 by johnnyc

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

9/23/12 by jh055

I liked going at my own pace

Overall Rating	80 100
Content Rating	80 100

7/21/12 by michaelkuhn3

I liked the ability to work on my own at my own pace.

Overall Rating	80 100
Content Rating	60 100

6/18/12 by jh055

I liked going at my own pace

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

5/9/12 by slessex

I liked the review activities, because i would do the flash cards and then go into the reading. Afterwards, i went back to the review activities to see what i retained. Very helpful.

Overall Rating	80 100
Content Rating	80 100

5/6/12 by wlizardi

I liked the review, as it helped me focus on specific aspects of the course for the exams.

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

4/30/12 by holly

I liked the test length

Overall Rating	60 100
Content Rating	60 100

3/10/12 by michelle.beling

It covered multiple facets of personal finance.

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	80 100

2/20/12 by tdunseith

presentation methodology and exercises

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	80 100

1/20/12 by michaelkuhn3

I liked the ability to work on my own at my own pace.

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	80 100

1/13/12 by bg103104

The portion at the end of each chapter called "Getting Personal" was an excellent way to compare a real life scenario to the examples in the book.

Overall Rating	60 100
Content Rating	60 100

7/31/11 by slessex

I liked the review activities, because i would do the flash cards and then go into the reading. Afterwards, i went back to the review activities to see what i retained. Very helpful.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/23/11 by wlizardi

I liked the review, as it helped me focus on specific aspects of the course for the exams.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

7/10/11 by holly

I liked the test length

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

5/5/11 by baguilar

Overall Rating	60 100
Content Rating	60 100

5/5/11 by johwilson

Overall Rating	80 100
Content Rating	80 100

5/4/11 by marty80606

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

5/4/11 by moe77oh

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

5/4/11 by moe77oh

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

5/3/11 by moe77oh

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

5/3/11 by peatri1

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

5/2/11 by rlin5536

Overall Rating	80 100
Content Rating	80 100

5/2/11 by smeredith65

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

5/1/11 by ssharkey8

Overall Rating	100 100
Content Rating	100 100

3/12/11 by michelle.beling

It covered multiple facets of personal finance.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	100 100

1/26/11 by tdunseith

presentation methodology and exercises

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	100 100

10/27/10 by bg103104

The portion at the end of each chapter called "Getting Personal" was an excellent way to compare a real life scenario to the examples in the book.

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

3/10/09 by baguilar

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

3/9/09 by johwilson

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

3/8/09 by marty80606

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

3/7/09 by moe77oh

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

3/6/09 by moe77oh

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

3/5/09 by moe77oh

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

3/4/09 by peatri1

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

3/3/09 by rlin5536

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

3/2/09 by smeredith65

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

3/1/09 by ssharkey8

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

Course Objectives

After completing this online finance course, you will be able to:

Identify socioeconomic influences that impact personal financial planning.
Create a plan for making personal financial and career decisions.
Calculate your taxable income and taxes owed to the IRS.
Explain how to obtain disability insurance and describe how it can protect you from loss.
Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of payment methods and give examples.
Assess the components of the risk factor one must consider before investing.
Calculate the cost of securing a loan and describe how to go about applying for credit.
Describe the characteristics of mutual funds investments and classify mutual funds by investment objective.
Determine your planned retirement income and develop a balanced budget based on your retirement income.
Analyze the personal and legal aspects of estate planning.

Topic	Lesson Topic	Subtopics	Objectives
1	Planning to Succeed	A Process for Planning Opportunity Costs The Time Value of Money Setting and Achieving Financial Goals Career Planning	Identify the factors that impact personal financial planning. Understand how interest and inflation impact the value of money and purchasing power. Understand financial planning activities and types of financial goals. Develop a set of personal financial goals. Create a plan for making personal financial and career decisions.
2	Money Management	Tools for Money Management Measuring Your Personal Finances Effective Budgeting	Give examples of three major money-management activities. Create a personal balance sheet and calculate personal cash flow. Develop a workable budget. Create a plan to connect money management techniques and savings to reach a financial goal.
3	The Certainty of Taxes	Types of Taxes Federal Income Tax Filing Your Tax Return Tax Strategies	Identify the major types of taxes consumers face. Calculate taxable income and taxes owed to the IRS. Prepare a federal income tax form. Understand how investments and retirement decisions affect income tax.
4	Save as Much as You Can	Financial Services Financial Institutions Savings Plans Ways to Pay	Compare and contrast the services offered by the major types of financial institutions. Compare and contrast the roles of financial institutions and the overlapping financial services they offer. Describe and assess liquidity and security of various savings options. Describe and evaluate various payment methods and identify key activities necessary to properly manage them.
5	Consumer Credit	Credit: the Pros and Cons Types and Sources of Consumer Credit Applying for Credit Managing and Protecting Your Credit	Analyze the pros and cons of using consumer credit. Compare and contrast the various types of consumer credit. Calculate the cost of a borrowing and understand how poor credit costs more. Outline a plan for managing your debts. Design a strategy to protect your credit rating.
6	Buyer Beware!	Strategies for Making Major Purchases Buying a Car Satisfaction Guaranteed?	Summarize strategies for safe and wise purchasing. Describe the phases of making an informed purchase of an motor vehicle. Devise strategies for resolving various consumer complaints in a variety of scenarios. Evaluate possible legal options to protect your credit.
7	A Place to Call Home	Housing Alternatives: Rent or Buy? The Pros and Cons of Renting The Process of Buying a Home Selling Out	Evaluate possible housing options. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of renting a residence. Describe five steps to buying and financing a home. Compare and contrast several methods of selling your home and formulate various plans based on statistical data in your area.
8	Protecting your Home and Auto Investment	Insurance and Risk Management Property and Liability Insurance Homeowner's Insurance Auto Insurance: Coverage and Cost	Identify types of risks and risk management methods and then develop a risk management plan. Assess the insurance coverage and policy types available to owners and renters. Compare coverage and costs of property insurance. Give examples of options for motor vehicle insurance coverage and describe factors that impact cost.
9	Insuring Your Health	The High Cost of Health Care Health Insurance Options and Types Sources of Health Insurance and Health Care Disability Insurance	Explain why health insurance is necessary and analyze the costs and benefits of various types of health insurance coverage. Define major provisions and trade-offs of different health care plans. Compare and contrast private and government health care plans. Explain how to obtain disability insurance and describe how it can protect you from loss.
10	Life Insurance: You Bet Your Life!	Determining Your Needs Types of Companies, Policies, and Provisions Buying Life Insurance Annuities	Understand what circumstances create the need for life insurance and determine your life insurance needs. Analyze a variety of life insurance policies available today. Create a plan to buy life insurance and select important provisions in a contract. Understand how annuities provide financial security.
11	Investing Basics	Pre- Investment Preparation Consider Before You Choose Choosing Between Alternatives Risks and Research	Understand the advantages of long-term investment over short-term investment. Assess the safety-risk trade-off and the components of the investing risk factor. Identify a variety of investment alternatives and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. Identify factors that can reduce investment risk. Identify sources of investment information.
12	Stocks and Bonds	Common and Preferred Stock Evaluating Stock Investments Notable Numerical Measures Long and Short-term Strategies for Investment	Describe the most important features of common and preferred stock. Evaluate the historical performance of a stock investment. Understand how corporate earnings and other factors affect stock performance. Describe how stocks are traded, and compare and contrast trading techniques used by long-term investors and short-term speculators. Evaluate why consumers find bonds to be an attractive conservative investment.
13	Mutual Funds and Real Estate	Characteristics and Classifications of Mutual Funds Mutual Funds Transactions Types of Real Estate Investments Advantages and Disadvantages of Real Estate Investments	Describe the characteristics of mutual funds investments and classify mutual funds by investment objective. Understand how mutual funds are bought and sold and how mutual fund investors earn a return on investment. Differentiate between different types of real estate investments. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of investing in real estate.
14	Retirement Planning	Starting Early Asset Analysis Needs Analysis Your Retirement Income	Analyze your current assets and liabilities. Estimate your projected living costs after retirement. Determine your planned retirement income and develop a balanced budget for retirement.
15	Course Review	Review	Review of the course topics

There are no prerequisites to take Personal Finance.

The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost. More information on StraighterLine eTextbooks

Prefer the hard copy? Simply purchase from your favorite textbook retailer; you will still get the eTextbook for free.

Focus on Personal Finance is a brief, 14-chapter book, covering the critical topics in Personal Finance courses. This 4-color, paperback text is designed and written to appeal to a range of ages, life situations, and levels of financial literacy.

A unique aspect of this text is its active approach. This text will not only get your students thinking about their current situation and financial goals, but also to put these in writing to use as a guide and revise over the course of their lives. The more a student involves themselves in the assessments, exercises and worksheets provided, the more they will discover about their current habits and how to improve them for greater financial freedom.

Students have many different financial goals, but none are more important than having a basic understanding of financial issues and peace of mind with regard to their decisions. The ultimate goal of Focus on Personal Finance is to get students to this point as a first step to achieving the many financial goals they have set for themselves.

Kapoor, Jack, Les Dlabay and Robert J. Hughes. Focus on Personal Finance. 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2009. ISBN 9780073382425

StraighterLine provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.

There are a total of 1000 points in the course:

Topic	Assessment	Points Available
1	Topic 1 Quiz	50
2	Topic 2 Quiz	50
3	Topic 3 Quiz	50
4	Topic 4 Quiz	50
5	Topic 5 Quiz	50
6	Topic 6 Quiz	50
7	Topic 7 Quiz	50
7	Graded Midterm Exam	100
8	Topic 8 Quiz	50
9	Topic 9 Quiz	50
10	Topic 10 Quiz	50
11	Topic 11 Quiz	50
12	Topic 12 Quiz	50
13	Topic 13 Quiz	50
14	Topic 14 Quiz	50
15	Graded Final Exam	200
Total		1000

Final Proctored Exam

The final exam is developed to assess the knowledge you learned taking this course. All students are required to take an online proctored final exam in order complete the course and be eligible for transfer credit.

Learn more about Proctored Exams

Create your own custom Personal Finance ! Select up to courses from the list below.

Online Course*: Personal Finance +$59.00
eTextbook*: FIN101 eTextbook (a $72.58 value) +$0.00
Proctoring (included)*: Proctoring +$0.00
Tutoring (included)*: Tutoring +$0.00

Subtotal
$59.00