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Course on Advanced Financial Skills

Financial Literacy II



Covers concepts of income, entreprenuership, investing, and the larger impacts of money on society and the environment.

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Course Overview

  • tickUnderstand the importance of saving and investing by learning how to use banks, stocks, and other investment options to make money work and grow over time.
  • tick Explore entrepreneurship as a way to increase income, including how to start and manage a business while balancing the risks and rewards of self-employment.
  • tick Develop responsible borrowing habits by understanding the risks associated with loans, credit, and debt, and how to maintain a good credit score.
  • tick Make informed financial decisions by differentiating between needs and wants, prioritizing expenses, and learning how to make smart, ethical financial choices.
  • tick Protect personal finances by recognizing scams and fraud, understanding the importance of insurance, and practicing ethical financial behavior in all aspects of money management.

Module Overview

Module

1

Making Your Money Work for YouAudioicon

  • Understand how banks function and the services they offer—including savings accounts, checking accounts, and loans to effectively manage personal finances.
  • Learn the basics of investing in businesses, stocks, and bonds, recognizing the potential risks and rewards to make informed investment decisions.
  • Explore the differences between earning interest and receiving dividends, and how each contributes to overall financial growth.
  • Assess personal risk tolerance to develop investment strategies that align with individual financial goals.
  • Create a sample investment plan using knowledge of various financial products to set and achieve personal financial objectives.

Module

2

Entrepreneurship to Increase IncomeAudioicon

  • Explore the concept of entrepreneurship, understanding the benefits and challenges of being your own boss, and evaluate personal interest in starting a business.
  • Learn about different types of businesses—products vs. services—and how to assess market opportunities for a business idea.
  • Understand the essential steps to start a business, including planning, market research, goal setting, and legal considerations like business registration.
  • Develop skills for effective business management, focusing on daily operations, financial management, time management, and balancing work-life responsibilities.
  • Compare self-employment with traditional employment to make informed decisions about future career paths, considering financial risks, rewards, and personal goals.

Module

3

Other Financial Products and ServicesAudioicon

  • Understand the role and importance of insurance in protecting against financial risks, and learn how to choose the right types of insurance for individual needs.
  • Learn the fundamentals of borrowing money, including how loans and lines of credit work, and practice responsible borrowing to avoid excessive debt.
  • Recognize the consequences of excessive debt and develop strategies to manage debt effectively and maintain financial health.
  • Understand what a credit score is, the factors that influence it, and how to build and maintain a good credit history for future financial opportunities.
  • Develop skills to make informed financial decisions by distinguishing between needs and wants, prioritizing spending, and managing responsibilities like taxes.

Module

4

Managing Your Money Responsibly and EthicallyAudioicon

  • Understand the principles of ethical financial behavior, including honesty and integrity, and how personal financial decisions impact others and society.
  • Learn to identify and avoid common financial scams and frauds, emphasizing the importance of protecting personal financial information.
  • Explore the benefits of charitable giving and how to incorporate it into personal financial planning to positively impact society.
  • Recognize how individual financial choices affect the environment and society, promoting sustainable spending and responsible consumerism.
  • Develop a personal financial action plan by applying key financial concepts, setting specific goals, and establishing long-term strategies for responsible and ethical money management.

Meet the Finance Course Creator,
Heather Gossler

A part-time teller job led to an MBA from DeSales University in the United States and a 27 year career in the finance and banking industry. I developed a youth banking program at my bank believing that it is never too young to learn to make good financial decisions. I took the program out into the surrounding communities’ schools to teach students basic finance. I then discovered that my true calling was education.

I left the executive offices of banking and began my teaching career, which I’ve been doing for 15 years. I went back to school and earned my M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Cabrini College. I’ve taught  middle school students the subjects of U.S.History, English and Language Arts, Science, and Family and Consumer Science which included a unit on personal finance. My ultimate goal is to help students find their passion for learning what it takes to be the best person they can be.

Heather+Gossler