You’ll Be Shocked at How Personal Finance Basics Can Improve Your Life
If you lack an understanding of personal finance basics, you’ve discovered a goldmine of information and resources to learn more about these critical life skills. Read more and you will have taken the first step in improving your finances for a lifetime.
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How Matt Used the NFEC to Create His Own Course on Personal Finance Basics
He wanted to help adults who had some previous experience with their personal finances, roughly ages 30 – 45, but wasn’t sure how to go about putting a plan in place. By polling his audience demographic, he discovered that there was a demand, so Matt pushed on.
Setting the Learning Goals of a Personal Finance Basics Course
His intended audience had experience with personal money management but needed to refresh their understanding of personal finance basics. He wanted to present a one-month course, which would get the students to a level of strategic thinking. Advanced thinking would be ideal, but it would be alright if that had to wait for a second course.
How to Deliver the Material Covering Personal Finance Basics
Now that the intended depth of knowledge was set, Matt had to consider the best medium of delivery to reach semi-successful adults with diverse backgrounds. He chose a self-paced program delivered by a weekly live webinar, to be recorded and accessible on-demand.
To emulate a classroom environment and group participation, he created a closed Facebook group where he and the class could interact. Once a week would be a perfect schedule to keep students on track and engaged.
What Aspects of Basic Personal Finance to Focus On
Now Matt considered the actual topics he’d be covering. The poll he sent out revealed that a majority of his intended audience wanted to know more about investing, insurance and retirement planning. He could devote one week to each of these personal finance basics, then tie them together during the final session.
Designing the Curriculum for a Personal Finance Basics Adult Class
Defining the curriculum was Matt’s next challenge. He wanted a program that met formal education criteria while also being fun and relatable to the adult students. Flexibility for the students to focus on their topic of interest and learning principles based on empirical evidence would also be valuable. The NFEC had just what he was looking for.
A Certified Financial Education Instructor
Although Matt was going to get his financial educator certification, he wanted an experienced professional to teach this first class. He needed someone with an advanced knowledge of finance and experience teaching it to adults. He found someone who was certified by the NFEC as a Financial Education Instructor (CFEI). This valuable designation would help to legitimize Matt’s course and meet national standards.
Results of Matt’s Adult Personal Finance Basics Course
As Matt compiled the results, his mind raced with new possibilities. He put the data into a report highlighting his success. He would use it to garner support and funding for expansion.
Beyond the Personal Finance Basics Adult Class
Matt presented the students with Certificates of Completion to those that completed the personal finance class so they could include with college and job applications.
It soon sank in that this was just the beginning. To help solidify the student’s new knowledge, Matt kept the Facebook active and students continued to use it long after the course was over. He also established a bi-weekly live webinar where students could get real-time help. As if that weren’t enough, he created an email list with bi-weekly resources, hints and ideas to implement their new knowledge into their lives.