Making original claims and coherently structuring complex ideas.

1. Demonstrate effective search strategies for finding information using a variety of sources and methods;
2. Locate, retrieve and evaluate a variety of relevant information, including print and electronic formats;
3. Organize and synthesize information in order to communicate effectively;
4. Explain the legal and ethical dimensions of the use of information

It is expected that in your writing you should develop and clearly define your ideas on your chosen topic, and accomplish the following goals:

1. Ethically integrate sources of various kinds into your writing.
2. Compose texts through drafting, revising and completing a finished product.
3. Express yourself through your writing by posing questions, making original claims and coherently structuring complex ideas.
4. Revise your writing for greater cogency and clarity.
5. Utilize adopted communication modes and documentation styles of specific disciplines (MLA, APA, Chicago, CBE, etc.)

Below are the topics that were taught during the course. Please incorporate these within the essay.

Ch 1: The Financial Planning Process
1.1 What Is Personal Financial Planning?
1.2 Factors That Influence Financial Planning Decisions
1.3 Setting Short‐Term and Long‐Term Financial Goals
1.4 Selecting Qualified Financial Planning Professionals
1.5 Making Effective Decisions

Ch 2: Financial Planning Tools: Personal Financial Statements and the Time Value of Money
2.1 Organizing Your Financial Information
2.2 Evaluating Your Personal Financial Situation
2.3 The Time Value of Money
2.4 Present Value: How Much Do I Need Today to Reach a Future Goal?

Ch 3: Budgeting and Cash Management
3.1 Developing, Implementing, and Monitoring a Household Budget
3.2 The Role of Cash in Your Financial Plan
3.3 Providers of Cash Management Services
3.4 Evaluating Cash Management Products and Services
3.5 Resolving Cash Management Problems and Avoiding Identify Theft
and Avoiding Identify Theft

Ch 4: Tax Planning
4.1 The Federal Income Tax System
4.2 Filing Requirements
4.3 Federal Income Tax Calculation
4.4 Tax Planning Strategies

Ch 5: Managing Credit: Credit Cards and Consumer Loans
5.1 What Is Consumer Credit?
5.2 Your Consumer Credit Plan
5.3 Credit Cards
5.4 Consumer Loans

Ch 6: Making Automobile and Housing Decisions
6.1 Making Auto Decisions on a Budget
6.2 Should You Lease or Buy a Car?
6.3 Making Housing Decisions on a Budget
6.4 Mortgage Financing
6.5 Completing a Real Estate Transaction

Ch 7: Insuring Cars and Homes
7.1 Managing Personal Risks
7.2 How Insurance Works
7.3 Managing Homeowner's and Renter's Risk
7.4 Auto Insurance
7.5 Buying Insurance and Making Claims

Ch 8: Life Insurance and Long-Term Care Planning
8.1 Life Insurance and Your Financial Plan
8.2 Buying Life Insurance
8.3 Reading Your Policy
8.4 Planning for Long‐Term Care Costs

Ch 9: Employee Benefits: Health, Disability, and Retirement Plans
9.1 The Value of Employee Benefits
9.2 Health Insurance and Your Financial Plan
9.3 Planning for Disability Income
9.4 Employer‐Sponsored Retirement Plans

Ch 10: Saving for Distant Goals: Retirement and Education Funding
10.1 Developing a Retirement Plan
10.2 Retirement Income from Employer Plans and Social Security
10.3 Individual Retirement Savings Alternatives
10.4 Planning for Education Costs

Ch 11: The Fundamentals of Investing
11.1 Developing a Realistic Investment Plan
11.2 Understanding Your Investment Choices
11.3 The Risk–Return Trade‐off
11.4 Diversification and Performance Evaluation

Ch 12: Investing in Stocks and Bonds
12.1 Investing in Common Stock
12.2 Investing in Bonds
12.3 Investing in Preferred Stock
12.4 Securities Markets

Ch 13: Investing in Mutual Funds and Real Estate
13.1 What Is a Mutual Fund?
13.2 Mutual Fund Investing
13.3 Real Estate Investment
13.4 Speculative Investments

Ch 14: Estate Planning
14.1 What Is Estate Planning?
14.2 Methods of Transferring Property
14.3 Estate and Gift Taxes
14.4 Reducing Taxes Through Trusts and Gifts