Contacts
Class rep Course Manager David Robinson Lecturer Greg LaBlanc Lecturer Arturo Perez-Reyes Head Reader Katie Lindgren katie_lindgren@haas.berkeley.edu Reader
Announcements
This is the second time we've offered Introduction to Personal Finance is a 2-unit course that provides an overview of personal financial planning within the context of the US financial system and the financial-services industry. The course meets once-a-week for a two-hour lecture, Mondays at 4:10 - 6:00 p.m. In the fifteen week semester, there are three four-week modules and each one is followed by an in-class multiple choice exam; there is no final during Exam Week. In each module you will write a paper about some of the public policy issues that affect financial planning. Here is this year's syllabus.This course will teach you about a life-cycle approach to saving, expenditure and investing. It will explain the options for major life purchases such as houses, transportation and education, and will teach you how credit can be responsibly used. You will learn how prudent consumers manage risk through the purchase of various types of insurance, and how people plan for retirement and wealth creation. Disclaimer: Individual circumstances differ—no general treatment in class should be taken as specific advice for investments or other financial decisions.
Textbook: Vickie Bajtelsmit,
Personal Finance, Skills for Life 1/e,
Wiley 2006. Purchasing used is OK.
You can find lecture notes and other files on "Course Materials" (above). If you get "file not found" the file has not been posted.
Q: Is ugba-10 a pre-requisite?
A: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Q: If I've already taken ugba-10 Principles, will I learn anything from this course?
A: Yes, the content does not overlap.Q: Will this course count towards the Haas Major?
A: The course is lower division, so this course does not count as upper division units toward fulfillment of the major.
Q: I'm not intending to apply to Haas--does that matter?
A: The course is open to Haas Majors, Haas-intended and non-majors equally.
Q: Can I take the course P/NP?
A: Since the course is lower division and is not a Haas pre-req anyone (Haas intended or even Haas enrolled) can take it P/NP.
Q: Will you offer the course every semester?
A: At the moment, we anticipate offering it in Spring only.