Personal Financial Planning

    This course is a comprehensive overview of the principles of financial planning and how they can be applied toward achieving "financial independence." Students will develop a personalized financial plan by applying strategies in the areas of: cash-flow management; debt management; risk management; investment planning; asset allocation; tax planning; estate planning; and pension planning.

    Students will be taken on a guided tour of the INTERNET where they will: use "financial calculators"; create stock portfolios; learn to chart investments using "technical analysis"; calculate their asset allocation; estimate their tax liability; analyze investment risk and performance and develop a strategy for "financial independence" by using various investment vehicles such as: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, tax-deferred annuities, unit investment trusts and real estate. Students will learn how to find a qualified investment advisor to assist them in developing, implementing and monitoring their financial plan.

    View dates this course will be offered.

    Requirements:

    You will need Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator web browser.

    Syllabus:

    Week One
    Lesson 1 Overview of personal financial planning, importance of planning, glossaries
    Lesson 2 Data collection, goal setting, using financial calculators
    Week Two
    Lesson 3 Data analysis, financial ratios, net worth and P/L statements, tax brackets
    Lesson 4 Overview of risk management
    Week Three
    Lesson 5 Overview of retirement and estate planning
    Lesson 6 Overview of real estate, "leverage" and debt management
    Week Four
    Lesson 7 "The Investment Spectrum": savings, bonds, stocks, mutual funds
    Lesson 8 Historical returns for "investment spectrum", risk/return, "Alpha", "Beta"
    Week Five
    Lesson 9 Understanding stock selection: fundamental vs. technical analysis
    Lesson 10 Mutual funds: open and closed end, how/where to find the best funds
    Week Six
    Lesson 11 Tax Planning: income, deductions, schedules, credits
    Lesson 12 Choosing a Financial Planner, doing your own planning, online investing

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