Introduction to Personal Finance

  • 4.7
Approx. 12 hours to complete

Course Summary

This personal finance introduction course covers a range of topics including budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. It aims to help individuals make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial goals.

Key Learning Points

  • Learn practical skills to manage your finances effectively
  • Discover how to make informed decisions about saving and investing
  • Understand how to manage debt and build a strong credit score

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Develop practical skills to manage your finances effectively
  • Make informed decisions about saving and investing
  • Understand how to manage debt and build a strong credit score

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • No prior knowledge of personal finance required
  • Access to a computer and internet connection

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

  • Online
  • Self-paced

Similar Courses

  • Financial Planning for Young Adults
  • Investment Management

Related Education Paths


Notable People in This Field

  • Author, I Will Teach You to Be Rich
  • Author, The Total Money Makeover

Related Books

Description

This course is a general overview of a variety of personal finance topics - including budgeting, the importance of your credit score, cash flow, setting financial goals, and taxes. Taught by two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERâ„¢ Professionals, the concepts are broken down through videos, readings, and activities so you can apply what you are learning in real time. The course provides the foundation to build on for the rest of The Fundamentals of Personal Finance Specialization or as a standalone survey course to improve your understanding of basic personal finance terminology, as well as how they apply to your own financial situation.

Outline

  • Approaching Your Finances with Purpose
  • Course Introduction
  • The Basics of Financial Planning
  • Life Cycle of Financial Planning
  • Financial Planning in 6 Steps
  • Understand the Human Side of Personal Finances
  • Deep Dive into Personality 1 - Money Worship
  • Deep Dive into Personality 2 - Money Avoidance
  • Deep Dive into Personality 3 - Money Vigilance
  • Deep Dive into Personality 4 - Money Status
  • Managing Finances with a Partner – Where to Start
  • Managing Finances with a Partner – Joint Accounts, Separate Accounts or Some of Both?
  • Working with Your Partner on Finances
  • Understanding and Overcoming Loss Aversion
  • Understanding and Overcoming Hindsight Bias
  • Understanding and Overcoming Confirmation Bias
  • Understanding and Overcoming Reference Bias
  • About Your Instructors
  • Activity - Financial Knowledge
  • Activity - Identify Interests, Fears, and Questions
  • Tips for Creating a Financial Plan
  • How to Plan for Your Future
  • Overview of Money Personalities
  • Activity-Take Your Money Personality Assessment (KSMI)
  • What is Behavioral Finance?
  • An Introduction to Financial Planning
  • The Financial Planning Process
  • Common Money Personalities Assessment
  • Roles and Responsibility
  • Behavioral Bias
  • Approaching Your Finances with Purpose
  • Understanding Your Net Worth and Credit Score
  • What is Net Worth and Why Does it Matter?
  • Types of Assets - Understanding What You Own
  • Measuring and Assessing Your Liquidity
  • Types of Debt - Understanding What You Owe
  • Using Relay to Understand What You Own and Owe
  • What is a Credit Score and Why Does It Matter?
  • Who Determines Your Credit Score?
  • Key Components of Your Credit Score
  • What’s Your Credit Score?
  • How to Request and Review Your Credit Report
  • How to Improve Your Credit Score
  • 9 Most Common Credit Score Mistakes
  • Protecting Your Credit
  • What is an Asset?
  • What Are the Different Types of Debt?
  • Activity - Determine Your Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth
  • What is a FICO Score?
  • Activity - Obtain and Assess Your Credit Score
  • Activity - Obtain Your Credit Report
  • How to Build Credit Over Time
  • Matching Assets to Categories
  • Matching Liabilities to Categories
  • The Ins and Outs of Credit Scores
  • The Components of Your Credit Score
  • Checking In on Your Credit Score
  • Improving Your Credit Score Over Time
  • Understanding Your Net Worth and Credit Score
  • Assessing Your Cash Flow and Taxes
  • Understanding Cash Flow
  • Maximizing Your Cash Flow
  • Cash Flow Changes in Different Life Stages
  • Managing Uneven Cash Flow
  • Ways to Determine Your Cash Flow
  • Types of Taxes
  • How Income Tax Withholding Works
  • Understanding Your Key Tax Numbers
  • How Income Tax Brackets Work
  • Preparing to File Your Taxes
  • Taxes - DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
  • What is Disposable Income?
  • How to Improve Personal Cash Flow
  • 7 Life Events You Should Financially Prepare For
  • Activity - Calculate Your Monthly Cash Flow
  • Understanding Different Personal Finance Ratios
  • How to Evaluate Your Personal Finances
  • How Much of Your Paycheck Should You Save?
  • Why Your Debt to Income Ratio Matters
  • Activity - Calculate Your Financial Ratios
  • What Are the Different Types of Taxes?
  • How Income Tax Withholding Works
  • Match Income and Expenses to Categories
  • Calculating Cash Flow
  • Ways to Determine Your Cash Flow
  • Key Ratios of Your Personal Finances
  • Types of Taxes
  • Tax Concepts
  • Assessing Your Cash Flow and Taxes
  • Planning and Budgeting for Your Future
  • Budgeting Basics
  • There Isn’t One RIGHT Way to Budget
  • 7 Tips for Budgeting Success
  • Setting Up Your Budget Using the 50/30/20 Approach
  • Checking in on Your Budget
  • Adjusting Your Budget as Life Happens
  • Ways to Reduce Your Spending
  • Ways to Increase Your Income
  • 3 Types of Financial Goals
  • 6 Tips to Achieve Your Financial Goals
  • A Framework for Your Next Money Move
  • Why the Order of Your Goals Matter
  • Applying the YNMM Framework to Your Finances
  • Setting SMART Financial Goals
  • 5 Different Types of Budgeting Methods
  • Activity - Identify Your Budgeting Approach
  • How To Make A Budget
  • Activity - Build Your Budget
  • Ways to Control Excessive Spending Habits
  • How to Set Money Goals
  • Smart Short Term Financial Goals to Set for Yourself
  • The Importance of Setting Your Long-Term Financial Goals
  • Activity - Identify Your Financial Goals
  • Investing vs. Saving: Finding a Balance
  • Different Ways to Budget
  • Establishing a Budget
  • Maintaining and Updating Your Budget
  • Define Common Financial Goals
  • Define the YNMM Framework
  • Steps in the YNMM Process
  • SMART Financial Goals
  • Planning and Budgeting for Your Future

Summary of User Reviews

The Personal Finance Introduction course on Coursera has received positive reviews from many users. The course is highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their financial knowledge and skills. One key aspect that many users thought was good is the practical approach to personal finance management. The course provides real-life scenarios and examples that are relatable to users. Pros include comprehensive coverage of personal finance topics, engaging lectures and quizzes, and practical applications to daily life. Cons include the pace of the course being too slow for some users and the lack of in-depth coverage on certain topics such as retirement planning.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The practical approach to personal finance management.

Pros from User Reviews

  • Comprehensive coverage of personal finance topics
  • Engaging lectures and quizzes
  • Practical applications to daily life
  • Suitable for beginners and those with some financial knowledge

Cons from User Reviews

  • Pace of the course is too slow for some users
  • Lack of in-depth coverage on certain topics such as retirement planning
  • Some users may find the quizzes too easy
  • No interaction with other students
English
Available now
Approx. 12 hours to complete
Brian Walsh, Lauren Anastasio
SoFi
Coursera

Instructor

Brian Walsh

  • 4.7 Raiting
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