Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Personal Finance is designed to expose the interested student to many functions of personal finance. The course provides the students with information that can be used to develop an overall financial plan and an understanding of critical areas where decisions should be made.
Topics such as the economy, budgeting, taxes, shopping, real estate, credit, retirement and estate planning are discussed in an introductory manner.
This course is applicable as elective credit toward an Associate degree and may be transferable to a four-year institution.

Upon successful completion of Personal Finance, the student will be able to:
 

1. Use a framework for financial planning to understand the overall role finances play in his/her personal life.
2. Apply financial principles to demonstrate sound, practical decision-making in personal financial situations.
3. Communicate effectively in dealing with personal business matters.

Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts described in the required competencies by any combination of the following:
 

1. Participation
2. Case study analysis
3. Individual and/or group projects
4. Presentations
5. Completion of assessment or other examinations

Themes", Concepts, Issues:
 

1. Planning
2. Responsibility and Accountability
3. Critical Thinking
4. Effective Written and Oral Communications
5. Team Work
6. Ethical Conduct

Competencies and Skills:
 

1. Ability to plan and budget effectively.
2. Recognize the need to adapt financial planning to changing personal needs as well as changes in the economy and financial environment.
3. Effectively analyze the comparative merits of buying and renting a home; tax implications; buying, selling, and leasing fundamentals.
4. Evaluate various types of credit; understand costs and how to utilize them to the best advantage.
5. Evaluate the various types of insurance and relate this information to personal needs.
6. Examine investment strategies considering asset allocation