Managing Personal Cash and Credit (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.

This course is part of the Personal Finance Professional Certificate.

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

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