Course Description
This course is designed to teach students the ability to manage their financial future as a consumer, an employee and as a family member.  Activities include career research, calculating their paycheck, income taxes, budgeting, checkbook handling, savings, investing, credit, renting vs. buying a home, car buying, and insurance.

Enrollment for this course is open to grades 9-12.

Course Length
95 hours (one 51 minute class per day for 18 weeks)

Course Outcomes

1. The student will gain knowledge in career opportunities in their field of interest.
2. The student will learn how to successfully apply for a job, interview, and follow-up.
3. The student will learn how to calculate their gross pay and deductions, including benefits.
4. The student will learn about personal income taxes and how to complete a 1040EZ.
5. The student will learn how to budget and keep good financial records.
6. The student will learn about banking services, particularly the checking account.
7. The student will learn how to save for the future.
8. The student will learn about different investment opportunities.
9. The student will learn what credit is and the importance of maintaining a good credit rating.

10. The student will learn about renting vs. buying a place to live.

11. The student will learn about buying vs. leasing a vehicle.

12. The student will learn about the different types of insurance:  life, health, auto, home.

  Course Content

I.             CHOOSING YOUR CAREER

A.     Job analysis

B.     Coping with change

C.     Changing career opportunities

II.          PLANNING YOUR CAREER

A.     Why people work

B.     Career planning

C.     Sources of job opportunity

D.     Job search techniques

III.           GETTING THE JOB

A.     Letter of application

B.     Resume

C.     Letter of reference

D.     Completing the application

E.      Interview

F.      Thank you letter

IV.          PAY, BENEFITS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS

A.     Gross Pay, Deductions, and Net Pay

B.     Benefits and Incentives

C.     Flexible Work Arrangements

D.     Labor Unions and Professional Organizations

V.          FEDERAL INCOME TAX

A.     Types of Taxes

B.     History of Taxes

C.     Components of the Tax System

D.     Definitions of Terms

E.      Preparing to File

F.      Preparing Your Income Tax Return

VI.          BUDGETS AND FINANCIAL RECORDS

A.     Importance of Financial Planning

B.     Preparing a Budget

C.     Personal Records

VII.        CHECKING ACCOUNTS AND OTHER BANKING SERVICES

A.     Purpose of a Checking Account

B.     Opening a Checking Account

C.     Parts of a Check

D.     Using Your Checking Account

E.      Endorsing Checks

F.      Types of Checking Accounts

G.     Other Banking Services

H.     Bank Fees

VIII.   SAVING FOR THE FUTURE

A.     Why Should You Save

B.     How Your Money Grows

C.     Where You Can Save

D.     Savings Options

E.      Selecting a Savings Plan

F.      Saving Regularly

IX.          INVESTMENTS

A.     Reasons for Investing

B.     Stocks

C.     Bonds

D.     Mutual Funds

E.      Real Estate

X.        CREDIT IN AMERICA

A.     The History of Credit

B.     The Vocabulary of Credit

C.     Advantages and Disadvantages of Consumer Credit

D.     Kinds of Credit

E.      Sources of Credit

XI.        CREDIT RECORDS AND THE LAW

A.     Credit Records

B.     Creditworthiness

C.     Getting Started with Credit

D.     Credit Ratings

E.      Credit Reports

F.      Credit Laws

XII.        RENTING A RESIDENCE

A.     Housing Alternatives

B.     Living Arrangements

C.     Planning Your Move

D.     Advantages of Renting

E.      Disadvantages of Renting

F.      Rental Agreements

G.     Landlord/Tenant Responsibilities

XIII.   BUYING A HOME

A.     Advantages of Home Ownership

B.     Costs and Responsibilities of Home Ownership

C.     Finding and Selecting a Home

D.     Obtaining Financing

E.      Taking Title to Property

XIV.      BUYING A CARING FOR A VEHICLE

A.     Steps in the Car-Buying Process

B.     Financing Your Car

C.     Leasing a Car

D.     Consumer Protection for Car Buyers

E.      Cost of Operating a Car

F.      Extending the Life of Your Car

XV.       INSURANCE

A.     Renter’s Insurance

B.     Homeowner’s Insurance

C.     Auto Insurance

D.     Liability Insurance

E.      Health Insurance

F.      Life Insurance

Equipment
Textbooks and Materials – Managing Your Personal Finances, South-Western Educational Publishing Company, 2002.  Managing Your Personal Finances Workbook, South-Western Publishing Company, 2002.