Managing Personal Cash and Credit from edX

Managing Personal Cash and Credit is made possible by the Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation.

The Managing Personal Cash & Credit course is designed for individuals to build financial literacy, one of the most pressing needs Americans face today. Financial decisions made by individuals impact the larger community in significant ways with pervasive cost due to financial mistakes. A recent study by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) reveals over 50% of Americans have less than $10,000 saved for retirement. In addition, over 50% of Americans have no emergency fund, unable to cope with an unexpected car repair without borrowing funds. Financial literacy is an urgent need for many. In this course, you’ll explore how the use of cash and credit impact your financial situation.

This fast-paced course prepares you to:

Understand liquid assets and the financial institutions we use for our day-to-day cash management needs
Review types of cash management products available and their relative pros and cons
Explore options for online banking, checking accounts, and savings opportunities
Establish credit and use it to your advantage
Evaluate credit card options in the marketplace and make sense of complex data provided on your credit card statement
Learn about revolving credit and the options available for those need it
Impact your credit score to achieve financial and personal goals
Review secured credit and specialized applications for auto loans, mortgages and home equity loans
Make secure financial decisions regarding leasing, buying, and refinancing

Through course videos, selected short readings and self-paced activities, students will gain both practical knowledge of core concepts of cash and credit, and achieve a broader view of how personal managing personal cash and credit contribute to a successful and fulfilling life.

Improve your cash flow, credit score, and banking services by registering for this course.

What you'll learn

Choose the right financial institution for your specific financial situation
Bank online in a cost-effective and secure manner
Classify liquid assets
Choosing a checking account that meets your needs
Compare available returns on a variety of saving products
Understand saving account features and returns to make the best decision
Apply for and access open consumer credit
Evaluate your creditworthiness by the five c’s of credit
Maintain good standing with your credit card company
Understand and analyze your credit card statement
Use online sources to compare and contrast credit card features
Calculate your charges and fees in open credit
Determine if a line of credit is right for you and which one to access
Access a home equity lines of credit (HELOC)
Understand and improve your credit score
Use credit wisely
Compare the features of secured credit
Explore loan amortization
Make leave or buy decisions effectively
Analyze the benefits and risks of refinancing

What's inside

Learning objectives

Choose the right financial institution for your specific financial situation
Bank online in a cost-effective and secure manner
Classify liquid assets
Choosing a checking account that meets your needs
Compare available returns on a variety of saving products
Understand saving account features and returns to make the best decision
Apply for and access open consumer credit
Evaluate your creditworthiness by the five c’s of credit
Maintain good standing with your credit card company
Understand and analyze your credit card statement

Use online sources to compare and contrast credit card features
Calculate your charges and fees in open credit
Determine if a line of credit is right for you and which one to access
Access a home equity lines of credit (heloc)
Understand and improve your credit score
Use credit wisely
Compare the features of secured credit
Explore loan amortization
Make leave or buy decisions effectively
Analyze the benefits and risks of refinancing

Choose the right financial institution for your specific financial situation
Bank online in a cost-effective and secure manner
Classify liquid assets
Choosing a checking account that meets your needs
Compare available returns on a variety of saving products
Understand saving account features and returns to make the best decision
Apply for and access open consumer credit
Evaluate your creditworthiness by the five c’s of credit
Maintain good standing with your credit card company
Understand and analyze your credit card statement
Use online sources to compare and contrast credit card features
Calculate your charges and fees in open credit
Determine if a line of credit is right for you and which one to access
Access a home equity lines of credit (heloc)
Understand and improve your credit score
Use credit wisely
Compare the features of secured credit
Explore loan amortization
Make leave or buy decisions effectively
Analyze the benefits and risks of refinancing

Syllabus

Week One: Managing Liquid Assets Savings, Checking & other Liquidity Products

Week Two: Open Consumer Credit Credit Card Features & Costs

Week Three: Obtaining & Managing Credit Credit Analysis, Reporting & Prudent Use

Week Four: Consumer Loans Loan Features, Sources & Uses

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes the significance of financial literacy and its impact on individuals and communities

Provides practical guidance on managing cash and credit for individuals with varying financial needs

Taught by experienced instructors with expertise in personal finance management

Covers a comprehensive range of topics related to cash and credit management, addressing both basic and advanced concepts

Utilizes a variety of learning materials, including videos, readings, and interactive activities, to enhance engagement

Helps individuals make informed financial decisions that contribute to their overall well-being

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Managing Personal Cash and Credit with these activities:

Review Merrill Lynch's Handbook of Credit Analysis

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Learn the basics of credit analysis and how to analyze credit risk, a key skill in making informed financial decisions.

View The Handbook of Fixed Income Securities, Eighth... on Amazon

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Read through the chapters on credit risk and financial statement analysis.
Work through the practice problems and case studies to test your understanding.

Create a personal budget

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Gain hands-on experience in managing your personal finances by creating a budget.

Browse courses on Personal Finance

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Track your income and expenses for a month.
Categorize your expenses and identify areas where you can save.
Create a budget that allocates your income to different categories.

Solve practice problems on personal finance and credit

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Reinforce your understanding of personal finance and credit concepts through repetitive exercises.

Browse courses on Personal Finance

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Find practice problems from textbooks, online resources, or practice tests.
Solve the problems and check your answers.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Follow tutorials on how to manage credit and debt

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Enhance your practical skills in managing credit and debt by following guided tutorials.

Browse courses on Credit Management

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Find tutorials from reputable sources, such as government agencies or non-profit organizations.
Follow the tutorials and complete any exercises or activities they provide.

Write a blog post about the importance of financial literacy

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Enhance your understanding of financial literacy and share your knowledge with others through writing.

Browse courses on Financial Literacy

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Research the benefits and consequences of financial literacy.
Organize your thoughts and structure your blog post.
Write a clear and engaging blog post that highlights the key points.

Develop a financial plan for a specific financial goal

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Apply your knowledge of financial planning to develop a roadmap for achieving a specific financial goal, such as buying a house or retiring early.

Browse courses on Financial Planning

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Identify your financial goal and set a timeframe.
Analyze your current financial situation.
Develop a plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goal.

Attend a workshop on financial planning or credit management

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Gain practical insights and interact with experts in financial planning or credit management.

Browse courses on Financial Planning

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Find a workshop that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
Register for the workshop and attend it as scheduled.

Volunteer at a financial literacy organization

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Make a meaningful contribution to your community while gaining practical experience in financial literacy.

Browse courses on Financial Literacy

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Research financial literacy organizations in your area.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend training and orientation programs provided by the organization.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing Personal Cash and Credit will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for the financial health of their organizations. They oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding financial statements, managing cash flow, and preparing budgets. These are all important concepts for a CFO to understand in order to be able to make sound financial decisions for their organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice to individuals and families. They develop financial plans, recommend investments, and manage assets. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding financial planning, managing investments, and planning for retirement. These are all important concepts for a Financial Advisor to understand in order to be able to provide sound financial advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Advisor

Personal Finance Manager

Personal Finance Managers help individuals and families manage their finances. They develop financial plans, track spending, and provide advice on investments and debt management. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding personal finance, managing investments, and planning for retirement. These are all important concepts for a Personal Finance Manager to understand in order to be able to provide sound financial advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Personal Finance Manager

Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Brokers help individuals and families obtain mortgages. They compare loan products, negotiate rates, and prepare loan applications. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding mortgages, comparing loan products, and managing debt. These are all important concepts for a Mortgage Broker to understand in order to be able to provide sound advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mortgage Broker

Commercial Banker

Commercial Bankers help businesses obtain loans and other financial services. They analyze financial data, determine creditworthiness, and set loan terms. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding credit, evaluating creditworthiness, and managing debt. These are all important concepts for a Commercial Banker to understand in order to be able to make sound lending decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Commercial Banker

Corporate Finance Analyst

Corporate Finance Analysts help companies make financial decisions. They analyze financial data, identify trends, and make recommendations on how to allocate resources. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding financial statements, managing cash flow, and preparing budgets. These are all important concepts for a Corporate Finance Analyst to understand in order to be able to provide sound financial advice to companies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Finance Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital by issuing stocks and bonds. They also advise companies on mergers and acquisitions. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding financial markets, raising capital, and managing investments. These are all important concepts for an Investment Banker to understand in order to be able to provide sound financial advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. They develop financial plans that cover a wide range of topics, such as retirement planning, investment planning, and estate planning. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding financial planning, managing investments, and planning for retirement. These are all important concepts for a Financial Planner to understand in order to be able to provide sound financial advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Accountant

Accountants prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial information is accurate and compliant with regulations. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding financial statements, managing cash flow, and preparing budgets. These are all important concepts for an Accountant to understand in order to be able to provide accurate and reliable financial information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant

Insurance Agent

Insurance Agents help individuals and businesses obtain insurance policies. They assess risks, compare policies, and make recommendations on coverage. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding insurance, assessing risks, and managing finances. These are all important concepts for an Insurance Agent to understand in order to be able to provide sound advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Agent

Credit Counselor

Credit Counselors help individuals and families manage their debt. They provide counseling on budgeting, debt management, and credit repair. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding credit, managing debt, and improving credit scores. These are all important concepts for a Credit Counselor to understand in order to be able to provide effective counseling to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Credit Counselor

Loan Officer

Loan Officers help individuals and businesses obtain loans. They evaluate loan applications, determine creditworthiness, and set loan terms. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding credit, evaluating creditworthiness, and managing debt. These are all important concepts for a Loan Officer to understand in order to be able to make sound lending decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Loan Officer

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide investment advice to individuals and organizations. They analyze financial data, identify trends, and make recommendations on how to invest money. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding liquid assets, managing investments, and using credit wisely. These are all important concepts for a Financial Analyst to understand in order to be able to provide sound investment advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts help organizations create and manage their budgets. They analyze financial data, identify trends, and make recommendations on how to allocate resources. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding liquid assets, creating budgets, and managing debt. These are all important concepts for a Budget Analyst to understand in order to be able to effectively manage an organization's finances.

See salaries and explore the career path for Budget Analyst

Personal Banker

A Personal Banker helps clients with their basic financial needs such as deposit and withdrawal transactions. They answer questions about bank products and services, and make recommendations based on the client's financial situation. The course, Managing Personal Cash and Credit, may be useful for people interested in this career because it covers topics such as understanding liquid assets, managing checking and savings accounts, and establishing and using credit wisely. These are all important concepts for a Personal Banker to understand in order to be able to provide sound financial advice to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Personal Banker