Back to Learning Catalog

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

1 segment / 16-18 weeks

Overview

How do our personal financial habits affect our financial future? How can we make smart decisions with our money in the areas of saving, spending, and investing? This course introduces students to basic financial habits such as setting financial goals, budgeting and creating financial plans. Students will learn more about topics such as taxation, financial institutions, credit, and money management. The course also addresses how occupations and educational choices can influence personal financial planning, and how individuals can protect themselves from identity theft.

 

Note: content varies depending on course version. For currently enrolled students, please refer to the syllabus located in the course information area for curriculum specifics.

Major Topics and Concepts

Segment 1
American Families and the EconomyDefine economic terms such as the economy, free enterprise, and supply and demand.
Learn about different types of economies and how they influence individuals.
Discuss the links between individuals, the economy, and the government.
Describe some of the global factors that influence the economy.
Understand how healthy individual finances contribute to the overall health of the economy.
Our Economic WorldIdentify some societal level economic factors that influence our personal finances.
Consider how scarce resources impact individuals.
Learn about the costs of “free” items.
Examine how fiscal policies influence individual financial management.
Discuss stock markets and their effects on the economy and individuals.
Financial ResponsibilityEnumerate the steps necessary for creating a personal financial plan.
Examine the risks that our financial choices carry.
Explore the resources that families have and how they can be used to reach financial goals.
Discuss tips for making responsible financial decisions.
Look at shared decision-making and how it can help individuals make responsible financial decisions.
Financial InstitutionsDescribe different types of financial institutions.
Examine some of the types of services offered by these institutions.
Learn about some of the different types of accounts available.
Discuss aspects to consider when choosing a financial institution.
Consider some of the financial institutions that can be problematic for consumers.
Personal TaxationDiscuss the benefits of taxes.
Discuss the different types of taxes.
Examine the basics of the United States tax system.
Consider options for filing tax returns.
Learn about penalties and audits for taxes.
Insurance, Wills, and ContractsExamine and understand different types of insurance policies.
Discuss various elements of an insurance policy and how they can affect insurance premiums and claims.
Examine estate planning and its importance in successful financial planning.
Consider the different types of wills and their uses.
Examine the basic elements of a contract.
Saving and InvestingDiscuss the advantages of saving money.
Consider the relationship between saving and investing money.
Examine the advantages and disadvantages of investments.
Consider how to reduce the risks of investing.
Discuss some of the types of investments available.
Consumer CreditDiscuss the advantages and disadvantages of consumer credit.
Explain the different types of consumer credit.
Examine factors that influence whether credit is extended to someone.
Consider how to avoid credit problems.
Discuss factors in choosing credit cards.
Managing Personal and Family FinancesExplain why keeping financial records is important.
Discuss the best places to keep different financial records.
Learn how to create a personal balance statement and its importance
Understand how to create a cash flow statement.
Discuss how to create a budget.
Consumer ChoicesDiscuss strategies for purchasing goods and services wisely.
Understand what advertising is and its effect on consumers.
Discuss common advertising techniques.
Define identity theft and the ways that this can happen.
Examine the effects of identity theft and ways of reducing our risks.

Credits .5

Competencies

  • Factors Influencing Career Choices
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of the factors influencing career choices by summarizing factors influencing career choices, explaining factors impacting earning, explaining the impact of paying taxes, and describing the importance of a budget.
  • Managing Risk
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of managing risk by describing options to grow the money, explaining the connection between taking risks and growing the money, describing the types of insurances, and explaining avoidance of identity theft.  
  • The Time to Spend and Save
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of the time to spend and save by describing factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions, explaining considerations for saving money, explaining the purpose of government regulations, and describing interest rates and inflation.
  • The Use of Credit
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of credit by describing types of credit, describing types of personal loans, explaining the relationship between credit reports and credit scores, and explaining the management of debt.  

Pre-Requisites

None
Enroll Now

Attend a virtual open house

We offer regular online open house webinars where VLACS staff members provide parents and students with an overview of our programs and answer questions about online learning.

Register Today