FIN 601 Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)

Personal Financial Planning is designed to provide those students who will be dealing with individuals rather than a business entity as a career, an understanding of the problems and concerns that arise in an individual’s life cycle. Students will learn how to reach appropriate decisions regarding the allocations of personal wealth between current consumption and future consumption. Current consumption decisions would include discussions of metrics covering the optimal consumption pattern for major purchases, e.g. houses and automobiles, more routine purchases, such as insurance coverage. In addition, the course will examine the appropriate use of credit, either through standard loan contracts or the use of credit cards. There will also be a discussion of the existing consumer protection laws and their effect on individual consumption patterns. Future consumption allocations will include a discussion of metrics involved in reaching optimal decisions regarding long-term health care, retirement, and estate planning.

Prerequisite: FIN 550.