PART I
Directions: Using Microsoft® Word to save and submit your work, please provide detailed and elaborate responses to the following questions. Your responses should include examples from the reading assignments.
1. What are the main components of a personal balance sheet and a cash flow statement? What is the main purpose of each of these personal financial statements?
2. Diane Rossiter lives with her two sons, ages 6 and 9. They have had difficulty managing their finances. What purpose could a budget serve for the Rossiters? What actions would you suggest for the budgeting process to be successful?
3. Darlene Elkin has the following financial amounts: checking accounts $850, savings account $3,500, credit card balance $300, jewelry $1,600, real estate valued at $78,000, a mortgage on the real estate of $23,000. What is the total of Darlene's assets? What actions could she take to increase her net worth?
4. Evan Nolan is a college graduate who has just landed a great job. He feels it is time for him to start saving a portion of his earnings. What factors would you recommend he consider when evaluating and comparing different savings plans?
5. You are planning to purchase a house in five years and intend to save a fixed amount of money each month for a down payment. How will you invest your savings and what are important considerations in selecting an investment vehicle
6. Brad Kellogg maintains a monthly balance in his checking account of approximately $150, writes about 25 checks a month, and makes three deposits each month. How would Brad decide which one of the following checking accounts he should use? Bank A: regular checking account with a monthly fee of $4.50 for an unlimited number of checks, no monthly balance requirement, and no interest earnings; Bank B: interest-bearing checking account paying 4 percent interest on balances over $300 and a monthly service charge of $6 if the balance falls below $300; Bank C: special checking account that charges 35 cents a check and 20 cents for each deposit, no interest earnings; or Bank D: minimum-balance account that requires a $200 minimum balance to avoid the $10 monthly fee, two percent interest paid if the balance remains above $400.
7. What types of financial records and documents should be kept in a safe deposit box?
8. Explain why opportunity cost is an important concept in money management.
9. What are the main types of financial institutions used by consumers?
10. Josh earned $120 on $1500 invested in a high-yield money market account. He is taxed at 28% of his earnings. What is the effective yield on his investment?
Part II
Money Management Activities (p. 103)
Directions: Write a 1-page, double-spaced paper in 12 pt. font answering the following questions. Please use APA format.
1. Since a budget is made up of fixed expenses and variable expenses, identify which of Shelby's expenses fall into each category. Then total each category and compare it to her monthly income to determine if she has a surplus or deficit.
2. Based on the information above, how much should Shelby have in an emergency fund? What steps should she take to reach this amount?
3. Describe how Shelby might use the following Personal Financial Planner sheets for assessing her financial condition (Creating a Personal Balance Sheet, Creating a Personal Cash Flow Statement, and Developing a Personal Budget).