HIGH SCHOOL COURSE
Introduction to the Course
Purpose
The purpose of this intermediate course on personal finance is to help high school students gain personal financial management skills while establishing an understanding of the underlying connection between finances and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This lesson covers eleven chapters, based upon the areas of the Complete College Course that we believe will provide most useful to those in high school. Our goal is to give you an introduction to various aspects of finance, with the hope that you will continue your study to understand better the topics covered in this lesson throughout the rest of your schooling and your lives.
Please allocate between 45 minutes to an hour for each chapter reading, and an hour to watch the video. For those not doing the entire lesson in order, we recommend you first complete chapters 1 and 2, and then the remaining chapters in any order.
Lesson Manual
Click here for the free online manual for these lessons (PDF).
Videos
The video for each section can be found in its respective chapter.
Another Perspective on Wealth
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this chapter, you will:
- Understand how to bring Christ more into your finances
- Understand our framework for learning
- Understand the implications of that learning framework
- Understand that "Life is Good"
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Another Perspective on Wealth" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter or here for the PDF slides.
Class Summary
Please click here for the course summary
Video
Terminology
Please click here for the course terminology
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Another Perspective on Wealth"
Tools
Personal Financial Plan Table of Contents
PFP Introduction Template
Additional Materials
The Why's What's and How's of Personal Finance - Sudweeks and Hill 2015
Setting Personal Goals
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this chapter, you will:
- Understand the importance of planning your financial future
- Understand the requirements for your "Personal Financial Plan (PFP)"
- Understand your vision and the Vision, Mission and Values Assignment (LT38)
- Understand the different types of goals
- Understand and apply the principles of effective goal-setting.
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Creating your Personal Financial Plan and Setting Personal Goals" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter or here for the slides as a PDF.
Class Summary
Please click here for the Day 02 Summary
Video
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Creating Your Personal Financial Plan and Setting Goals"
Tools
Personal Financial Plan Example A
Personal Financial Plan Example B
Personal Financial Plan Example C
Personal Financial Plan Example D
PFP Goals Section Template
Additional Materials
Vision, Mission and Values Statement Assignment - This will help you as you think through your goals
Vision, Mission and Values Statement Assignment - Example
Budgeting and Measuring Financial Health
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this chapter, you will:
- Understand the principles of successful budgeting
- Develop and implement a budget
- Calculate your net worth using a personal balance sheet
- Develop a personal income statement and use it to analyze your spending
- Introduce budgeting software
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Budgeting and Measuring Financial Health" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter, or here for the slides as a PDF.
Class Summary
Please click here for the course summary
Video
Terminology
Please click here for the course terminology
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Budgeting and Measuring Financial Health"
Tools
Simple Saving, income and Expense Plan (Budget) Spreadsheet - This is our simple budgeting spreadsheet which can be useful when setting a budget and trying to save more money. Your budget is your single most important tool to help you achieve your personal and family financial goals.
Simple Balance Sheet and Ratios - This is a simple spreadsheet to help you prepare your balance sheet and prepare your 6 financial ratios (liquidity, savings and debt) to see how you are doing financially.
Budgeting Spreadsheet with Balance Sheet and Ratios - This is a detailed budgeting spreadsheet which can be useful when setting a budget and trying to save more money.
Debt Free Spending Spreadsheet - This is a much more detailed budget and debt reduction spreadsheet. This is for the more advanced user.
PFP Budgeting Section Template - This is the template you will use as you prepare your Saving, Income and Expense Plans as part of your Personal Financial Plan.
Understanding Credit
Learning Outcomes
This section focuses on the following four objectives to help you better understand credit reports and credit cards:
- Understand the principles of using credit wisely
- Know about credit bureaus, credit reports, and your credit score
- Understand the correct uses of credit cards and how they can help (or hinder) you attain your financial goals
- Know how to manage your credit cards and open credit
- Know how credit cards work and the costs involved
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Understanding and Managing Credit" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter, or here for the slides as a PDF.
Class Summary
Please click here for the course summary
Video
Terminology
Please click here for the course terminology
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Understanding and Managing Credit"
Tools
Credit Card Repayment Spreadsheet
Debt Amortization and Prepayment Spreadsheet
Debt Elimination Schedule with Accelerator
PFP Credit Cards Template
Additional Links
Debt and Debt Reduction
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this chapter, you will:
- Understand the principles of using debt wisely
- Understand the "debt cycle" and why people go into debt.
- Understand how to develop and use personal debt reduction strategies
- Know where to go for help if you get too far in debt
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Debt and Debt Reduction" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter, or here for the slides as a PDF.
Class Summary
Please click here for the course summary
Video
Terminology
Please click here for the course terminology
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Debt and Debt Reduction"
Tools
PFP Student and Consumer Loans - Debt Reduction Template
Debt Elimination Spreadsheet with Accelerator
Debt Amortization and Prepayment Spreadsheet
Credit Card Repayment Spreadsheet
Time Value of Money 1: Present and Future Value
NOTE: Information for this chapter is included as part of the video used in the chapter on Debt and Debt Reduction.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this chapter, you will:
- Understand the importance of compound interest and time.
- Pass an un-graded assessment test with 9 problems
I strongly recommend that you use a computer with Excel (or equivalent program) or borrow or purchase a financial calculator to help you complete these two time value of money sections. Although you can do many of the calculations discussed in this section on a standard calculator, the calculations are much easier to do on a financial calculator. If you have a computer with Excel, you can use Learning Tool 12: An Excel Based Financial Calculator, which is a spreadsheet-based financial calculator freely available on this website. The functions you will need for calculations are also available in other spreadsheet programs. Calculators like the Texas Instruments (TI) Business Analyst II, TI 35 Solar, or Hewlett Packard 10BII can be purchased for under $35 and can be helpful.
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Time Value of Money 1: Present and Future Value" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter, or here for the slides as a PDF.
Terminology
Please click here for the course terminology
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Time Value of Money 1: Present and Future Value"
Tools
Financial Calculator Tutorial
An Excel Based Financial Calculator
Time Value of Money 2: Inflation, Real Returns, Annuities, and Amortized Loans
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Explain how inflation impacts your investments.
- Calculate real returns after inflation.
- Solve problems related to annuities.
- Solve problems related to amortized loans.
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Time Value of Money 2: Inflation, Real Returns, Annuities, and Amortized Loans" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter, or here for the slides as a PDF.
Terminology
Please click here for the course terminology
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Time Value of Money 2: Inflation, Real Returns, Annuities, and Amortized Loans"
Tools
Financial Calculator Tutorial
An Excel Based Financial Calculator
Investments 1: Principles
Learning Outcomes
There are two objectives for this section:
- Recognize the Ten Principles of Successful Investing
- Understand the Investment Hourglass
Properly prepare yourself to invest and understand what you will be investing in before you begin your investment program; these are important keys to success.
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Investments 1: Beginning Investing - Principles" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation for this chapter.
Video
We are currently preparing the video for this chapter.
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Investments 1: Beginning Investing - Principles"
Tools
A Risk-Tolerance Test
Key Questions on Money in the Family
Additional Links
A Banker's Dozen: Guidelines for Wise Investing
Greed, Selfishness, and Overindulgence
Investments 2: Application Lesson
Learning Outcomes
There are three objectives for this section:
- Understand and Use the Priority of Money
- Understand the Risks and Benefits of the Major Asset Classes
- Understand the Risk and Return History of the Major Asset Classes
Properly prepare yourself to invest and understand what you will be investing in before you begin your investment program; these are important keys to success.
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Investments 2: Beginning Investing - Application" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the slide presentation for this chapter
Video
We are currently preparing the video for this chapter.
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Investments 2: Beginning Investing - Application"
Tools
Investment Plan Example
Risk-Tolerance Test
Roth Versus Traditional: Which is Better?
Return Simulation Spreadsheet
Expected Return Simulation and Benchmarks
Additional Links
A Banker's Dozen: Guidelines for Wise Investing
Greed, Selfishness, and Overindulgence
Learning to Give
Learning Outcomes
This section focuses on the following four questions to help you understand the principle of learning to give:
- Understand the five myths of giving
- Understand what the scriptures say about money and giving
- Understand the principles of wise giving
- Understand why we should give
- Understand the basics of wise giving
- Understand how to create your individual/family giving plan
Because God shares freely with us, we should be willing to share freely with God’s other children. From another perspective, learning to give is an important part of personal finance.
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Conclusions 1: Learning to Give" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter, or here for the slides as a PDF.
Class Summary
Please click here for the course summary
Video
Terminology
Please click here for the course terminology
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Conclusions 1: Learning to Give"
Tools
Decide to Decide
Learning Outcomes
When you have completed this section, you should be able to do the following:
- A look back at the class
- Understand the key decisions you should make to be truly successful in life
- Review a list of recommended readings for further information on personal finance
You can make important decisions now that you will never have to question again. From the inspired words of President Kimball, “decide to decide!”
Chapter Reading
Please read the chapter on "Conclusions 2: Decide to Decide" (PDF)
Slide Presentation
Please click here for the PowerPoint slide presentation (PPT) for this chapter, or here for the slides as a PDF.
Class Summary
Please click here for the course summary
Video
Assignments
Here are the assignments for "Another Perspective on Wealth"