Managing Major Life Finances

This unit prepares learners to make informed decisions about major life financial events—buying a home or business, funding education, protecting assets with insurance, managing debt, and planning estates. Students practice evaluating advisors, analyzing investments and taxes, and developing actionable plans to manage risk and reach long-term goals.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze financing options for postsecondary education and major purchases by comparing costs, tax implications, repayment terms, and long-term impact to recommend an optimal funding strategy.
• Evaluate insurance and risk-management alternatives (health, umbrella, homeowner/renter) to determine appropriate coverage levels and cost-benefit trade-offs for varied life stages and household scenarios.
• Apply credit- and debt-management techniques—such as reviewing monthly statements, distinguishing good versus bad debt, improving credit scores, and creating debt-reduction plans—to prepare for major acquisitions and prevent consumer-debt cycles.
• Demonstrate the ability to select and engage financial professionals and real-estate agents, interpret investment performance and tax consequences, and construct a coordinated investment and estate plan that supports long-term and educational funding goals.