FIN 433 - Personal Finance


Note: This course code has changed from B 433 to FIN 433. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

Outcomes

Students will:

  1. Develop a personal financial plan.
  2. Identify financial goals, values.
  3. Create specific strategies for achieving financial goals, utilizing generally accepted investment and debt management principles.
  4. Understand the basics of investment strategies, tax-deferred accounts, retirement programs, social security, insurance, estate planning, personal budgeting, and debt management.

Description

This course is a part of the business Management Integrated Finance Emphasis program. The primary purpose of this course is for students to learn to apply personal financial management tools to their own life. The content covers advanced time value of money, retirement planning strategies, tax-deferred retirement planning vehicles, asset allocation, special investment products, insurance, estate planning, and financial planning strategies. Students broaden their understanding and develop skills through problem-solving using Excel, case studies, and application to existing personal financial management situations.

Learning Model Architecture

Prepare—Students read, watch videos, and complete quizzes.

Teach One Another—Students participate in class surveys and discussion boards.

Ponder & Prove—Students prepare financial plans.

Required Materials

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko.

eISBN: 9781589794870. Print ISBN: 9781589795471

eBook available (free) from BYUI McKay Library. You may read online or download. 

Microsoft Excel. BYUI students may download and install Microsoft Office Suite (free) from the BYUI Bookstore. Microsoft Excel download.

Compare prices for your textbooks through the University Store Price Comparison site. They will show you all of the options from the University Store plus several online options to help you find the best price.

Grading Scale

Letter Grade Percentage Range
A 100% –93%
A- 92.99% – 90%
B+ 89.99% – 87%
B 86.99% – 83%
B- 82.99% – 80%
C+ 79.99% – 77%
C 76.99% – 73%
C- 72.99% – 70%
D+ 69.99% – 67%
D 66.99% – 63%
D- 62.99% – 60%
Fail 59% – 00%

Expectations

This is a one-credit course; therefore, you are expected to spend 3–5 hours each week working on this course. In an online course, regular and sustained attention is critical. 

Projects

Each week you will complete a spreadsheet assignment. At the end of the semester, you will combine all assignments into a Personal Financial Plan. Therefore, it is important that you maintain a copy of each submitted assignment.

Course Layout

Q&A Support Forum. This discussion board allows students and instructors to interact socially, create a dialogue, and ask questions about the course and its content. This is a non-graded discussion board.

Most weeks contain a survey, an assignment, a study, and a quiz. Occasionally, there will be a discussion where you will need to contribute.

Due Dates

FIN 433 has three due dates per week. Refer to the Calendar for time-zone specific dates and times.

You can specify a time zone in your User Settings. If you have set a specific time zone in your User Settings, all course dates and times will display in your local time, but if you hover over the date and time, they can also see the course date and time. Visit "How do I set a time zone for a course?" for instruction.

Late Work

Late assignments are accepted but are marked down by half. Assignments are accepted early.

If an assignment is late due to a medical emergency or family emergency, please contact the instructor to work out a reasonable schedule. You may turn in an assignment early; however, discussion boards are collaborative assignments. Your peers depend on your timely posts and responses. Therefore, discussion board participation must be completed as scheduled. You may not post early or late on discussion boards.

Disclaimers

The instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus at any time during the semester in order to adapt to changing course needs. You will be notified prior to any changes that may take place.