Investing Fundamentals Course

Total Items: 6 Total Time: 22.00 hour(s)  

Summary:

This training covers basic investing information and strategies.

Fundamental topics covered include planning your financial goals, budgeting, managing diversification and risk, and options for retirement savings.

Organization of finances is covered in detail, including analyzing net worth, putting aside emergency funds, and proper record keeping.

An in-depth examination of investment options, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, is provided.

The training concludes with a thorough discussion of planning for the future with solid investment strategies, retirement planning, and insurance coverage.

Learning segment 1: The Basics

Summary:

This learning segment explains to users how to get a general picture of their personal financial situations and begin the process of investing.  

Objectives:

• Calculate compounded interest
• Make plans for financial goalsUse 401(k) and IRA plans to their maximum benefit
• Balance diversification and risk
• Make budget plans for investment funds  

Topics:

• Making Realistic Plans
• Maximizing Small Savings
• Managing Risk
• Diversification
• Starting Out Slowly
• Checking Up on Yourself
• Tightening the Budget Belt  

Learning segment 2: Organizing

Summary:

This learning segment explains to users how to determine their financial situations and make plans for investment funds.  

Objectives:

• Examine net worth
• Select records for storage
• Maintain and use cash reserves
• Set financial goals
• Get more information about investments  

Topics:

• Looking at Net Worth
• Learning from Net Worth
• Keeping Cash
• Making Cash Reserves Work
• Setting Financial Goals
• Learning More  

Learning segment 3: Stocks

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to choose and invest in stocks  

Objectives:

• Explain the benefits of buying stocks
• Describe the major stock markets
• Distinguish between the types of stocks available
• Choose stock candidates
• Decipher a stock listing
• Research stock candidatesTrade stocks  

Topics:

• Introducing Stocks
• Learning the Types of Stocks
• Getting Started
• Choosing Candidates
• Reading the Stock Pages
• Researching Online and Using Value Line
• Trading Stocks  

Learning segment 4: Bonds   

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to choose and invest in bonds. Each type of bond (U.S. Treasuries, U.S. government agency bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds) is explained and the unique advantages and disadvantages are described.  

Objectives:

• Distinguish between types of bonds (U.S. Treasuries, U.S. government agency bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds)
• Determine the taxable equivalent yield for U.S. Treasuries and municipal bonds
• Explain any risk factors associated with different types of bonds
• Explain reasons for using municipal bonds in an investment portfolio
• Describe high-grade and high-yield corporate bonds and how they fit into a portfolio
• Explain the effects of rising interest rates on different types of bonds
• Research and purchase different bond types  

Topics:

• Introducing Bonds
• U.S. Bonds
• Municipal Bonds
• Corporate Bonds
• Researching and Buying Bonds  

Learning segment 5: Mutual Funds

Summary:

This learning segment explains to users how to choose and invest in mutual funds.  

Objectives:

• Distinguish between types of funds
• Analyze mutual funds
• Choose mutual funds
• Buy and sell shares in mutual funds  

Topics:

• Introducing Mutual Funds
• Stock Funds
• Bond Funds
• Analyzing Mutual Funds
• Fund Evaluations and Online Research
• Choosing a Mutual Fund
• Reviewing Fund Investing  

Learning segment 6: Planning

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to prepare for the future with solid investing strategies, retirement planning and insurance coverage.  

Objectives:

• Invest for retirement
• Use IRA and 401(k) accounts
• Choose a life insurance policy
• Choose disability insurance  

Topics:

• Planning for Retirement
• Using IRAs
• Using 401(k) Plans
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance

Features:

• Exercises allow learners to practice in the actual application being studied.
• A Course Topics list contains active hyperlinks, permitting quick access to specific topics.
• Find-A-Word allows learners to look up an unfamiliar term in the Glossary, on the Web, or in a dictionary.
• In addition, it lets them find other occurrences of the term in the same course.Search text enables learners to rapidly search all text within a course to easily retrieve information required.
• Courses challenge the learner with a variety of question formats, including multi-step simulations, true/false, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank.
• A skill assessment generates a customized learning path based on the results of a pre-test.A glossary provides a reference for definitions of unfamiliar terms.
• Bookmarking tracks the learner's progress in a course.  

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.