Category Archives: Ch.11, Investment Basics

As Interest Rates Climb…

Posted on September 4, 2013 by ajkeown

In Chapter 14 of Personal Finance, Turning Money Into Wealth, there is a section titled “Why Bonds Fluctuate in Value.” In that section we look at the relationship between bond prices and changes in interest rates. There is an inverse … Continue reading →

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The Impact of the Recent Downturn on the Wealth Distribution in America

Posted on May 7, 2013 by ajkeown

The downturn in the economy that we are still trying to dig out of did not impact all Americans equally.  A recent article in the Washington Post titled “As Economy Recovers, the Richest Get Richer, Study Shows” looks at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ch.11, Investment Basics, Ch.16, Retirement Planning, Ch.18, Financial Life Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Financial Personality – Taming Your Emotions When Investing – an Audio Discussion

Posted on May 2, 2013 by ajkeown

When it comes to investing – your financial personality, which is a reflection of your attitude about money based on your behavioral and emotional traits, tends to get in the way of good decision making.  When it comes to money, … Continue reading →

Posted in 10 Principles of Personal Finance, Ch.11, Investment Basics, Ch.18, Financial Life Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Class Discussion: Mama June looks out for Honey Boo Boo

Posted on January 24, 2013 by ajkeown

As you saw in Principle 9: Mind Games, Your Financial Personality, and Your Money, much of your approach to money is determined by your Financial Personality.  When some of us get money, it’s gone in no time – others have … Continue reading →

Posted in Ch. 1, Financial Planning Process, Ch.11, Investment Basics, Ch.17, Estate Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Personal Finance Update: Tax Changes 2013

Posted on January 15, 2013 by ajkeown

Now that we’ve made it though the “cliff” and the “Mayan end of the world” scares, let’s take a look at what’s happened to taxes – and it’s been a lot. The payroll tax reduction has ended, new Medicare surtaxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Ch. 4, Tax Planning, Ch. 9, Life and Health Insurance, Ch.11, Investment Basics, Ch.13, Investing In Stocks, Heads Up, Personal Finance In The News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Class Assignment and Discussion: The Money-Death Problem

Posted on April 9, 2012 by ajkeown

The New Yorker has always been famous for it cartoons, and one of the best is a 2003 cartoon by Barbara Smaller that shows a husband talking to his wife, saying, “If we take a late retirement and an early … Continue reading →

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Video and Class Discussion: The Fed and the Economy – from Ben Bernanke

Posted on March 20, 2012 by ajkeown

Teaching Tip:  These are one-hour lectures and could be shown in class with class discussion following them. When it comes to lectures, this one might not sound that exciting – “Reflections on the Federal Reserve and Its Place in Today’s … Continue reading →

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Class Assignment: Financial Words of Wisdom

Posted on February 21, 2012 by ajkeown

One of the best financial blogs is “The Color of Money” by Michelle Singletary which appears every Wednesday and Saturday in the Washington Post and is syndicated in over 100 newspapers. If you’d like to see what Michelle is writing … Continue reading →

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Personal Finance Video: Understanding the European Debt Crisis

Posted on January 10, 2012 by ajkeown

Teaching Tip:  The beginning of the semester is a good time to try to understand what is going on in the economy.  In an earlier blog entry I discussed using a video by The Wall Street Journal to explain the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ch.11, Investment Basics, Ch.12, Securities Markets, Ch.13, Investing In Stocks | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Class Assignment: The Rising Age Gap in Financial Well-Being, Part 2

Posted on December 12, 2011 by ajkeown

In Chapter 11 we discuss investment basics and look at accumulating wealth through investing.  Obviously that involves an understanding of Principle 8: Risk and Return Go Hand in Hand, and how to budget and start the saving process as described … Continue reading →

Posted in 10 Principles of Personal Finance, Ch. 2, Measuring Financial Health and Making a Plan, Ch.11, Investment Basics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment