This 12-week personal finance course consists of a lecture followed by a related project each week. Students are expected to participate in online discussions during lecture weeks and complete individual projects. Projects allow freedom and creativity but must demonstrate understanding of the weekly topic. Topics include balancing checkbooks, credit cards, loans, purchasing vehicles and homes. The course aims to teach effective budgeting and money management. Students can communicate with the instructor and each other through email, phone, Skype or the online discussion board. Grades are based on discussion participation and project completion. The syllabus outlines the weekly topics and due dates for the semester-long course.

1. Personal Finance
Introduction:
This is a 12 week course. There will be one week of lesson followed by a week for a
project. During the week of the lesson, we will hold and online discussion three times a week,
usually MWF, you are expected to sign into the lecture and participate in the class discussions;
this will be a part of your grade. A bulk of your grade is based on your projects. Your projects
will be related to what we covered in lecture the previous week. You are allowed to work by
yourself, a partner, or even a group but you must submit your own project, meaning no project
should look exactly like someone else’s project. The projects are designed to give you some
freedom and options as to what you buy/choose. There will be a rubric and an example provide
for each project. There will be a discussion board on D2L for you to ask questions and I will be
available by the discussion board and email.
It is designed to help prepare you how to handle money and budget money most
effectively. You will learn about taxes, checkbooks, credit cards, loans and buying homes and
vehicles. Everyone will need some kind of budget in their lives and this course will help you
learn how to budget effectively according to your income.
Contact the Teacher:
Email: colso034@live.kutztown.edu
Phone Number: 570-573-0749
Skype: candace_olson
Discussions will also be on D2L available so you can communicate with all your
classmates and myself through the discussion board.
Grading Scale:
Participation in Discussion: 25 points
Projects: 5 projects at 35 points each, totaling 175 points.
Total Available Points= 200
A = 200-180 points

2. B = 179-160 points
C = 159-140 points
D = 139-120 points
F = 119 ≤
Syllabus:
Unit One:
August 26-30, Week one: Breaking down a paycheck and balancing a checkbook.
This week we will have a lesson on MWF from 1pm until about 2:30 pm. During lecture I will
teach you how to break down a paycheck, the different components, and how to balance a
check book.
September 2-6, Week Two: During this week you will complete project 1 which is
planning a party on a budget. You may use any resource available to you. Your budget will be
$1000.00. Your list must include: food (including a cake), party favors, games, and one rental of
a moon bounce, blow up slide, clown, or magician. If you have anything else you would like to
add you may email me about the details. You may make a power point or a word document and
create a list of all your expenses and then the total cost. You will lose points if you go you’re
your budget and you do not have at least one of all the required fields. Your project must be
completed and submitted on D2L by midnight on September 6th
.
Unit Two:
September 9-13, Week Three: Class will be held on MWF again from 1pm until
2:30pm. This week we will be discussing interest rates, APR, annual fees, and credit scores.
September 16-20,Week Four: Find the interest rates for the following:
Mortgages, loans, and savings accounts. You will need to use four different banks. Make a table
using the data you found and submit it by Friday September 20th
at midnight.
Unit Three:

3. September 23-27, Week Five: Class will again be held MWF from 1pm until
2:30pm. This week will be all about applying for a credit card. The applications and the effects
of too many credit cards/application on your credit score.
September 30 - October 4, Week Six: This week you are to investigate five
different credit card companies. Choose the one that would benefit you the most or give you
the best deal. In a chart, list the five credit card companies you looked at and also list their:
APR, Annual fee (if any), interest rate, late fee, missed payment fee, any rewards offered. Along
with your chart please tell me which credit card company you chose and why. This must be 3-5
sentences. Your project is due October 4th
at midnight.
Unit Four:
October 7-11, Week Seven: This week our lectures will be held on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Friday due to Labor Day. The time of the lectures will still be 1pm-2:30pm. This
week will be covering the affects of using a credit card to make large purchases.
October 14-18, Week Eight: This week you will be making a large furniture
purchase with the credit card that you chose in Week Six. Use any major name furniture
company (i.e. Ashley Furniture, Raymour and Flanigan, etc). You may purchase any piece of
furniture you want whether it’s a new bed set, kitchen set, entertainment center, etc. You are
then going to calculate how much you would end up paying if you paid it off in five years, ten
years, and fifteen years. Make a chart in word or excel how much you would pay at the five, ten
and fifteen year mark also include the original price of the furniture. Also state which furniture
company you made your purchase at and what you purchased. Your project is due Friday the
18th
at midnight.
Unit Five:
October 21-25, Week Nine: This week lectures will be held on MWF from 1pm-
2:30 pm. This week will be discussing how to buy and lease a car. Also we will compare the
differences between the two.
October 28-November 1, Week Ten: Your project this week will be purchasing a
car. You may go online to any major car dealer and pick the vehicle of your dreams. You may
get any extra options that are offered. You are going to calculate the total price of your vehicle.
In your report, list what car you purchased, the extra options, and the transportation fee, and

4. the total cost you paid. You may write a 3-5 sentence paragraph including all of the prices or
you may create a chart displaying it all. The project is due Friday November 1st
at midnight.
Unit Six:
November 4-8, Week Eleven: Lecture will be held MWF this week from 1pm until
2:30pm. For our final topic we will be discussing buying, renting, and leasing a home or
apartment. The better deals given different situations and utilities that will be required along
with insurances.
November 11-15, Week Twelve: You will be looking into renting or buying an
apartment or home. You may look in the paper or online. Find the best deal possible in any
location you would like to move but keep in within the United States. Choose your apartment
or home and state and state what utilities are included and if you are going to purchase
insurance; any kind. In a short paragraph state where in the United States you are moving and if
you chose a house or apartment. Tell me how much you’ll have to pay a month (rent or
mortgage payment) and what utilities, if any, are included and if you will be purchasing any
insurance and what insurance you will be investing in. You do not have to find out the prices for
insurance because it will vary by each individual, just state which insurance you would like to
purchase.