Personal Finance Basics

Personal Finance Basics

Assessment Description

The purpose of this assignment is to broaden your knowledge on how to manage your money, as this is an essential skill needed to survive college and life after college. Too many college students and graduates do not have the budgeting skills they need, to make sure they are using money wisely. In this assignment, you will investigate aspects of personal finance, weekly spending, and credit card knowledge.

Use the attached worksheets to complete this assignment.

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.

Rubric

Rubric Criteria

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Spending Log Reflection

13.5 points

Criteria Description

5. Target

13.5 points

Reflection is within the 250-300-word range, thoroughly discusses personal budgeting, the influence of role models, and current strategies for money management; well-organized and coherent.

4. Acceptable

11.48 points

Reflection is within the word range, clear, and organized with good discussion on budgeting, role models, and learning strategies but with minor gaps.

3. Approaching

10.13 points

Reflection is within the word range but lacks depth or completeness in discussing budgeting, role models, and learning strategies; some issues with organization.

2. Insufficient

8.78 points

Reflection is somewhat outside the 250-300-word range, with vague discussion on budgeting, role models, and learning strategies; lacks clarity and coherence.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Reflection is significantly outside the 250-300-word range, poorly written, and lacks discussion on budgeting, role models, and money management strategies.

Credit Card Research

6.75 points

Criteria Description

5. Target

6.75 points

Includes clear and correct information such as APR, APR penalties, annual fee, late fee, transactional fees, method of computing account balance, over-the-limit fees, and rewards and purpose for three credit card companies.

4. Acceptable

5.74 points

Includes information such as APR, APR penalties, annual fee, late fee, transactional fees, method of computing account balance, over-the-limit fees, and rewards and purpose for three credit card companies with minor errors.

3. Approaching

5.06 points

Includes information such as APR, APR penalties, annual fee, late fee, transactional fees, method of computing account balance, over-the-limit fees, and rewards and purpose for three credit card companies with several inaccuracies.

2. Insufficient

4.39 points

Includes incorrect or incomplete information such as APR, APR penalties, annual fee, late fee, transactional fees, method of computing account balance, over-the-limit fees, and rewards and purpose for three credit card companies.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Does not include information such as APR, APR penalties, annual fee, late fee, transactional fees, method of computing account balance, over-the-limit fees, and rewards and purpose for three credit card companies.

Reflection Responses

22.5 points

Criteria Description

5. Target

22.5 points

Thorough and insightful responses to all reflection questions, demonstrating deep understanding and critical thinking.

4. Acceptable

19.13 points

Reflection questions are answered clearly with good insight but minor gaps in depth.

3. Approaching

16.88 points

Reflection questions are answered but with limited depth and insight.

2. Insufficient

14.63 points

Reflection questions are answered but lack clarity or completeness.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

No reflection questions answered.

Mechanics of Writing

2.25 points

Criteria Description

Includes spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, language use, sentence structure, etc.

5. Target

2.25 points

No mechanical errors are present. Appropriate language choice and sentence structure are used throughout.

4. Acceptable

1.91 points

Few mechanical errors are present. Suitable language choice and sentence structure are used.

3. Approaching

1.69 points

Occasional mechanical errors are present. Language choice is generally appropriate. Varied sentence structure is attempted.

2. Insufficient

1.46 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors are present. Inconsistencies in language choice or sentence structure are recurrent.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Errors in grammar or syntax are pervasive and impede meaning. Incorrect language choice or sentence structure errors are found throughout.

Total45 points

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Topic 6: Personal Finance Basics

This assignment is broken down into two parts; please complete each part according to the specific instructions.

Part 1: Spending Log & Reflection Summary

Directions: Keep a spending log for one week on the attached Word document, “Spending Log” to track how you are spending money. At the end of the week, look back and reflect on how (was this on a whim or planned?) and where (was this a need or a want?) you spent your money.

Be sure to complete the Spending Log (attached Word document) to record your spending for the week.

Include all spending in the Spending Log document. The document has multiple categories in order to record the various areas where you spend money.

Spending Log Reflection Summary:

Write a 250-300-word reflection summary on how and where you spent your money. Your summary should include reflection on:

· Whether you budgeted wisely or whether you could have done a better job at your personal spending.

· If anyone has taught and modeled good money management with you in your life. If so, who was this person or people and how/what did they teach you? If not, what can you do now to make up for not learning money management earlier?

Please use the area below to write your reflection; the box will expand as needed. Solid academic writing is expected.

Summary:

Part 2: Credit Card Evaluation Activity

Directions: Research three different credit card companies and answer the questions in the table below for each. After you review and answer all the questions, you will evaluate which card and company offered the best financing option.

Questions to Consider:	Card A	Card B	Card C
Is the annual percentage rate (APR) fixed or variable?
What is the APR penalty of the card? Does it trigger events when it is charged?
What is the annual fee?
What is the late fee?
What are the transactional fees of the card? This could be in regards to balance transfers, cash advances, etc.
What is the method of computing the account balance in the card?
What is the over-the-limit fee?
Does the card have rewards for use? What are they used for?

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the three cards had the best offer?

2. Why is it important to know if a credit card is at a fixed or variable APR?

3. What is a positive in having a credit card? What is a negative?

4. Why is it important to establish credit?

5. How can you keep your credit in good standing?

* Note: there are several credit reporting agencies (some are free) that you can use to review your credit standing. If you are curious to find out your standing, talk to your banking institution for suggestions.