The official blog for the Friday Addition Foundations in Personal Finance class
Sunday, May 4, 2014
May 2 - Online Discussion Question 4
Daniel just graduated from college. He earned a degree, but didn’t feel prepared for any line of work. He went to the school’s placement office and took a battery of tests to see where his strengths and weaknesses might lie. To some extent, he was surprised by the results. He knew he was strong in technical skills, but he didn’t realize his people skills were suspect. His adviser suggested that he get a job that will develop his weaker skills, because that’s where he will grow the most. Good advice?
May 2 - Online Discussion Question 3
Manuel earned a college degree in computer science and now works at a really laid-back dot-com. His high school business teacher asked him to speak at their annual job fair, not on the subject of working in computers, but on how to make a winning impression at the all-important first interview. As soon as he hangs up, he begins listing ideas. What should be on that list?
May 2 - Online Discussion Question 2
Mia and Allen, married with two teenage sons, both work. They have read Dave’s books, finished a beginner emergency fund, established a budget, and are working on their debt snowball. Both claim no dependents and take extra money out of their checks. Then in April, when they see how much they’ll get back, they celebrate! It’s like “found” money! They use that windfall for a lavish family vacation every summer. You told them that was all wrong. They asked why. Explain yourself.
May 2 - Online Discussion Question 1
Post some Job Interview tips that you personally have found helpful.
Friday, April 25, 2014
April 25 - Online Discussion Question 4
What job or type of job are you using for the basis of your resume and cover letter?
April 25 - Online Discussion Question 3
Post some Cover Letter tips that you personally have found helpful
April 25 - Online Discussion Question 2
Post some Resume tips that you personally have found helpful
April 25 - Online Discussion Question 1
Post some Job Applications tips that you personally have found helpful
Saturday, April 5, 2014
April 4 - Online Discussion Question 4
What are some things you can do to "stand out" from the rest of the candidates when seeking a job?
April 4 - Online Discussion Question 3
How can having a job you enjoy make a difference in your financial future?
April 4 - Online Discussion Question 2
What can you do to find a career direction to pursue if you don’t know what you want to do?
April 4 - Online Discussion Question 1
Describe your feelings if you were stuck in a job you didn’t like, but had to stay because of financial responsibilities?
Monday, March 31, 2014
March 28 - Online Discussion Question 3
Your friend Duncan just bought a top-of-the-line mountain bike and paid with cash, like Dave recommends. He listed his old one online. A buyer expressed interest in the bike. You heard Duncan describe the old bike as “like new.” You know that the bike’s front-wheel fork once snapped and had to be welded. With new paint, the weld is invisible. The buyer passed, but you remind Duncan what Dave teaches about buying and selling bargains. What did you tell him?
March 28 - Online Discussion Question 2
In January, Aaron and Hannah moved and bought a new house with a 15-year fixed mortgage, just like Dave teaches. They needed some furniture. Hannah found what she wanted at a high-end store. She is ready to buy, credit card in hand, when she realized she’d better call Aaron. He tells her he’ll be right there, and then he calls you, the only local person he knows. Where can they look to get a better deal? What can he suggest to Hannah to keep her from acting in haste?
March 28 - Online Discussion Question 1
Jason and Beth are married and don’t have any kids yet. They are out of debt except for their house, and have a full emergency fund. But Beth’s car has sputtered its last breath. Fortunately, she’s found a great car for $8,000. Beth only has $7,500 to spend. Explain to Beth three negotiating techniques she can use to get the deal she’s looking for.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
March 21 - Online Discussion Question 4
What are some bad ideas when it comes to mortgages? Also, what are some things to keep in mind when obtaining a mortgage?
March 21 - Online Discussion Question 3
Andrew and Olivia have the cash to buy the home of their dreams. The widow who owned it died without a will or probate, but her nieces are going to sign the deed. A babbling brook winds through the back yard. There are overhead power lines, sewer construction nearby, and the neighbors have been letting the widow share their drive. At the closing, Andrew and Olivia are asked to waive title insurance requirement so the nieces won’t have to pay the premium. Is that the right thing to do?
March 21 - Online Discussion Question 2
Lisa has finished her Iraq tour, landed stateside, and is getting married soon. Together, they bring home $3,500 a month, and they think they deserve a home of their own. They can get a VA loan, 30-year fixed, at $1,650 a month principle and interest, no down payment. If they are super careful they can do it, and the equity will only go up. You were discharged two years ago, and you did the same thing. It was a mistake, and it will be a mistake in their case, too. Talk them out of it.
March 21 - Online Discussion Question 1
Newlyweds, Benita and Raoul, have found a house they want, but they’ll need some creative financing to make it work. They’ve lined up a 30-year fixed-rate loan but need to have a 10% down payment to get the interest rate. They will need to get another loan for the down payment and Benita has asked her dad to co-sign. Raul is your friend and has asked for your advice. What will you tell him?
Friday, March 14, 2014
March 14 - Online Discussion Question 4
What are some of the advantages of putting a good down payment on a house?
March 14 - Online Discussion Question 3
Are you throwing away money when you rent for a period of time?
March 14 - Online Discussion Question 2
What are the benefits of renting for a while before purchasing a house?
Saturday, March 8, 2014
March 7 - Online Discussion Question 4
How would paying off your house early make you feel, and how would it affect your retirement?
March 7 - Online Discussion Question 2
If you pay more on a house than you can realistically afford each month, what problems may occur?
March 7 - Online Discussion Question 1
Post links here to the houses you found for your homework assignments
Friday, February 28, 2014
February 28 - Online Discussion Question 3
Allen and Grace are blessed. Their moms are still alive and self-sufficient thanks to Social Security and modest pensions. Their dads had life-long jobs from which they retired. Both died after drawn-out illnesses that depleted their assets. Neither mom has any long-term care insurance, and they share a common interest in not talking about such a morbid, depressing subject. When Allen or Grace bring the subject up, they laugh and wave it off. Should Allen and Grace leave the subject alone?
February 28 - Online Discussion Question 2
Maurice, your cousin, has gone to work at Midwest Mutual, a huge whole life insurance corporation. When you come home from school, he’s sitting across from your parents and smiling. They’re about to buy a joint whole life policy that will pay $100,000 if your dad dies and will build savings as they pay the premiums. You want to stop him, but he’s “family,” so you can’t insult him. You decide to ask him questions that will reveal what a bad idea the policy is. What questions will you ask him, and why?
February 28 - Online Discussion Question 1
Rocky turned 16 and got his driver’s license. His parents bought him a beater, but he has to buy his own gas and insurance. He mowed lawns all summer and has some money, but the cost boggled his mind. He went to a shoddy storefront and bought minimum liability, a high deductible, and no collision. When his mom and dad found out what he’d done, they weren’t happy about it. He can’t understand why. According to the state, he has what he needs. It isn’t fair for his folks to demand more. Or is it? What do you think?
Saturday, February 22, 2014
February 21 - Online Discussion Question 3
Identify and describe the seven basic types of insurance coverage needed.
February 21 - Online Discussion Question 2
Differentiate between Term and Cash Value Life Insurance.
February 21 - Online Discussion Question 1
Explain why insurance is an essential part of a healthy financial plan.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
February 14 - Online Discussion Question 4
Why do you need renter’s insurance, even if you don’t think you have a lot of valuable items?
February 14 - Online Discussion Question 3
What could happen to you financially if you do not have the proper amount of insurance?
February 14 - Online Discussion Question 2
Should you carry insurance if money is tight and you’re having a hard time financially? Explain.
February 14 - Online Discussion Question 1
Explain how having an emergency fund in place can affect your insurance premiums and deductibles.
Friday, February 7, 2014
February 7 - Online Discussion Question 3
Holly agrees that it’s a great idea to give every dollar a name, and she does this every month, without fail. Holly writes down every penny she spends and enters it into a spread sheet. Then, at the end of the month, she looks at where her money has gone, and tries to figure out what went wrong. You tell her that’s not how a budget works. Holly insists it works for her, but she will at least listen to what you have to say. What are you going to tell her?
February 7 - Online Discussion Question 2
Maurice is a commission salesman and has an irregular income. He goes in and out of debt regularly, using credit cards during the lean times. He also has a student loan. Maurice recently started listening to Dave and realized that he could do a budget despite the fact that his income is unpredictable. He knows you know Dave’s program inside and out, and he asks you to explain to him step by step how do make a budget for himself. What do you say?
February 7 - Online Discussion Question 1
or three months, Matt and Emily have been on a zero-based budget. It hasn’t balanced yet. Dave says it takes several months, but they’re discouraged. Emily prepares it and Matt gives input. But they always blow it—usually in eating out, entertainment, or the blow amount. They come to you for help. They think the problem isn’t the numbers, but rather the concept. Explain to them how a zero-based budget works, and what to do when it doesn’t.
Monday, February 3, 2014
January 31 - Online Discussion Question 3
What is the most interesting and/or helpful thing you have learned in this chapter? Be specific.
January 31 - Online Discussion Question 2
What are some of the problems your group encountered during the budgeting activity? How did you fix these problems?
Sunday, January 19, 2014
January 17 - Online Discussion Question 4
Review the information packet regarding wills. What is one thing that you learned and/or stood out to you? (nothing learned/stood out will not suffice as an answer). Why is it important to have a will in place?
January 17 - Online Discussion Question 3
Name one of the forms used in the budgeting process. What does this form do? How do you fill it out? Why is it important? (make sure to answer all parts of the question)
January 17 - Online Discussion Question 2
What are some of the major components of a healthy financial plan and why are they important?
January 17 - Online Discussion Question 1
How do you create a zero-based budget? (in your own words)
Saturday, January 11, 2014
January 10 - Online Discussion Question 3
What are some of common problems associated with budget failures? What the are solutions to these problems?
January 10 - Online Discussion Question 2
What are some reasons why people do not budget? (use your own words)
January 10 - Online Discussion Question 1
Thinking about the envelope system, how many envelopes would you use? What would the names on the envelopes?
Do you think this is a good way of saving money? Why or why not? (make sure to answer all 4 questions here)
Do you think this is a good way of saving money? Why or why not? (make sure to answer all 4 questions here)
Friday, January 3, 2014
January 3 - Online Discussion Question 3
What is NSF? How does a NSF occur and what are the penalties involved?
January 3 - Online Discussion Question 2
What are the steps to completing a reconciliation form? (in your own words)
January 3 - Online Discussion Question 1
What are the steps to reconciling a checkbook register with a bank statement? (in your own words)
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