Grace Community High School

Financial Literacy Program

By: PrepareForCollege, LLC

 

Introduction To Financial Literacy Issues And Why It Is Important

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively manage personal finances. It encompasses a range of skills and knowledge, including budgeting, saving, investing, credit management, and understanding financial products.

 

Golden Rules of Financial Management

Several golden rules of financial management can help individuals achieve financial stability and success. This video will show you a few principles that can be used as guiding principles for effective money management.

 

How to Manage Your Money

Following these steps and practices in this video can help you effectively manage your money, achieve your financial goals, and build a secure financial future.

 

How to Write A Check

Writing a check today may seem like a lost art. However, it is very important to know how to write a check. In this video, you will learn several basic steps to writing a check correctly.

 

Understanding Your Paycheck Stub

Understanding your paycheck stub is essential for managing your finances and ensuring you're being paid correctly. In this video, we will break down the typical information found on a paycheck stub.

 

Income Taxes (Understanding IRS Form W-4)

IRS Form W-4, also known as the Employee's Withholding Certificate, is used by employees in the United States to indicate their tax withholding preferences to their employer. This video will break down the key components of the W-4 and explain how to fill it out.

 

Understanding The Basics of Personal Income Taxes

Understanding these basic concepts can help you navigate the tax system, minimize your tax liability, and ensure compliance with tax laws. It's advisable to consult with a tax professional or use tax preparation software to help you accurately prepare and file your tax return.

 

Understanding The Seven Rules of Borrowing Money

By understanding the basic concepts of borrowing money in this video, you can make informed decisions about when and how to borrow, choose the right loan for your needs, and manage debt effectively. It's essential to borrow responsibly and only take on debt that you can afford to repay.

 

Banks and Credit Unions

(How They Work)

While both banks and credit unions offer financial services, they operate under different structures, regulatory frameworks, and ownership models. Choosing between a bank and a credit union often depends on individual preferences, such as fees, interest rates, convenience, and community involvement.

 

How Finance Companies and Payday Loans Work

Finance Companies play a vital role in providing access to credit and financing for individuals and businesses, particularly those who may not qualify for traditional bank loans.

Payday Loans can provide quick access to cash for individuals facing financial emergencies, they come with significant risks and should be used with caution. Borrowers should carefully consider the costs and alternatives before taking out a payday loan and ensure they can repay the loan in full on the due date to avoid falling into a cycle of debt. 

 

Understanding How Credit Cards Work

By understanding the fundamental aspects of credit cards, you can make informed decisions about when and how to use them to effectively manage your finances and build a positive credit history.

 

Understanding Credit Scores and Credit Reports

Understanding credit scores and credit reports empowers you to make informed financial decisions and maintain healthy credit habits.

 

Importance Of Investing

Overall, investing is a powerful tool for securing your financial future, achieving your goals, and building wealth over time. Starting early and staying consistent are key principles to maximize the benefits of investing.

 

Basics of Investing and How Investments Work

Investing is the process of committing money or capital to an endeavor with the expectation of obtaining an additional income or profit. It involves putting your money into assets with the hope that they will grow in value over time. This video will breakdown the basics of investing and how investments work:

 

Investing and

The Real Rate of Return

Investing involves putting money into financial vehicles such as stocks, bonds, real estate, or mutual funds with the expectation of generating returns over time. The real rate of return is a crucial concept in investing because it measures the actual purchasing power gained or lost on an investment after accounting for inflation.

 

Costs Incurred When Investing into Mutual Funds

It's essential to carefully review a mutual fund's prospectus and other documentation before investing to understand all the costs involved. High fees can significantly reduce your investment returns over time, so it's crucial to consider these costs when selecting mutual funds for your portfolio. Additionally, different types of funds (e.g., actively managed vs. passively managed) may have different fee structures, so it's essential to consider your investment strategy and goals when evaluating costs.

 

No-Load, Index and ETF Mutual Fund Costs

No-load funds, index funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) generally have lower costs compared to actively managed funds with sales charges. In this video you will learn the costs associated with each of these types of funds.

 

Basics of Life Insurance and Should You Buy It

Ultimately, whether you should buy life insurance depends on your individual circumstances, financial goals, and risk tolerance. It's essential to carefully evaluate your options and consult with a financial advisor to determine the most suitable life insurance coverage for your needs.

 

Understanding Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specified period, known as the "term." In this video you will learn some key aspects to understand about term life insurance.

 

Understanding Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is often chosen by individuals who seek permanent protection, cash value accumulation, and estate planning benefits. It's important to carefully assess your financial goals, risk tolerance, and insurance needs to determine whether whole life insurance is the right choice for you.

 

Understanding Universal Life Insurance

Universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance policy that offers flexibility in premium payments and death benefits, along with a cash value component. In this video you will learn key aspects to understand about universal life insurance.

     
 

Understanding Property and Casuality Insurance

Property and casualty (P&C) insurance is a broad category of insurance that provides coverage for personal and commercial property, as well as liability risks. In this video you will get an overview of property and casualty insurance and its key components.

 

Understanding Basic Retirement Plans

Basic retirement plans are financial vehicles designed to help individuals save and invest money during their working years in order to generate income during retirement. These plans often offer tax advantages to encourage retirement savings. This video will give you an overview of some most common types of retirement plans.

 

Financial Literacy E-book, Test, and Answer Sheets to Download

Clicking the picture to the right, you can download the Financial Literacy E-book, which summarizes the videos covered in the course study. Once completed, the student can test their understanding of the material by taking a test. The test and answer sheets are included in the PDF e-book download.