This free online course focuses on personal/family finances and developing a strong foundation for financial success. You’ll learn how to develop and carry out your financial plan, reduce debt, evaluate insurance needs, consider housing options and plan for retirement. Course provided courtesy of Professor Alena Johnson of Utah State University, licensed under a Creative Commons License and the original course is available here. Full citation at bottom of page.
Syllabus: Course syllabus.
Course Readings: Readings that are part of the course, but not available here.
Additional Resources: Helpful links and other information.
Course Lessons:
Unit 1: Factors Affecting Family Finance
- Factors Affecting Family Finance
- Factors Not in Your Control
- Factors in Your Control
Unit 2: Planning and Record Keeping
- Planning and Record Keeping
- Values
- Goals
- Financial Planning
- Financial Statements
Unit 3: Budgeting, Savings, Reducing Expenses
- Budgeting, Savings and Reducing Expenses
- Why Budgets Fail
- Types of Budgets
- Budgeting Assignment
- Savings
- Reducing Expenses
- Step-Down Principle
- Teaching Kids About Money
Unit 4: Taxes
- Taxes
- Federal Income Tax
- The 1040 Form
- Tax Assignment Information
- Financial Checkup Assignment Information
Unit 5: Banking Options
- Banking Options
- Checking Account Options
- Saving and Other Accounts
- Other Services
Unit 6: Credit, Credit Cards, and Credit Histories
- Credit, Credit Cards and Credit Histories
- Positive Aspects of Credit
- Negative Aspects of Credit
- Credit Cards
- Wise Use of Credit Cards
- Credit Histories
Unit 7: Debt, Debt Reduction, and Bankruptcy
- Debt, Debt Reduction and Bankruptcy
- Types of Loans
โข Consolidation Loans
โข Home Equity Loans
โข Student Loans - Debt Reduction
- Debt Elimination Calendar
- Bankruptcy
Unit 8: Major Purchases
- Major Purchases
- Things to Consider
- Vehicles
- Warranties and Service Contracts
Unit 9: Housing & Unit 9b: How Much Can You Afford?
- Housing
- Renting vs. Buying
- Buying
- Types of Loans
- Closing Costs
- The House Payment
- Refinancing
- Home Equity Loans
- Mortgage Default
Unit 10: Renters, Homeowners, and Auto Insurance
- Renters, Homeowners and Auto Insurance
- Risk Management
- Insurance
- Renters Insurance
- Homeowners Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Auto Insurance Cost Factors
- Umbrella Policies
Unit 11: Health, Disability, and Long-Term Care Insurance
- Health, Disability and Long-Term Care Insurance
- Types of Health Insurance
- Things to Look At
- Disability Income Insurance
- Long-Term Care Insurance
Unit 12: Life Insurance
- Life Insurance
- When Do You Need Life Insurance?
- What Type Should You Get?
Unit 13: Investing and Retirement
- Investing and Retirement
- Investing
- Three Rules for Successful Investing
- Types of Investments
- How Much Do You Need to Start?
- How Do You Start?
- Retirement
Unit 14: Consumerism, Fraud, and The Wealthy Barber Review
- Consumerism, Fraud and The Wealthy Barber Review
- What Is Too Much Spending Costing You?
- Fraud
Course Worksheets:
- Net Worth Statement
- Income and Expense Statement
- Financial Ratios
- Revolving Savings Account
- Retirement Needs
- Life Insurance
- Goal Worksheet
- Budget Worksheet
- Tracking Worksheet
Full Citation:
Johnson, A., admin. (2005, September 12). Family Finance. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from Free Online Course Materials – USU OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.usu.edu/Family__Consumer____Human_Development/Family_Finance.
