A unique aspect of this text is its active approach. This text will not only get your students thinking about their current situation and financial goals, but also to put these in writing to use as a guide and revise over the course of their lives. The more a student involves themselves in the assessments, exercises and worksheets provided, the more they will discover about their current habits and how to improve them for greater financial freedom.

Students have many different financial goals, but none are more important than having a basic understanding of financial issues and peace of mind with regard to their decisions. The ultimate goal of Focus on Personal Finance is to get students to this point as a first step to achieving the many financial goals they have set for themselves.

Chapter 1 Personal Financial Planning in Action

Chapter 2 Money Management Skills

Chapter 3 Taxes in Your Financial Plan

Chapter 4 Financial Services: Saving Plans and Payment Accounts

Chapter 5 Consumer Credit: Advantages, Disadvantages, Sources, and Costs

Chapter 6 Consumer Purchasing Strategies and Wise Buying of Motor Vehicles

Chapter 7 Selecting and Financing Housing

Chapter 8 Home and Automobile Insurance

Chapter 9 Health and Disability Insurance

Chapter 10 Financial Planning with Life Insurance

Chapter 11 Investing Fundamentals and Bonds

Chapter 12 Investing in Stocks

Chapter 13 Investing in Mutual Funds

Chapter 14 Starting Early: Retirement and Estate Planning

Appendix A Education Financing, Loans, and Scholarships

Appendix B Developing a Career Search Strategy

Appendix C Consumer Agencies and Organizations

Appendix D Daily Spending Diary

Index