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Personal Finance

Satisfactory Essays

Unit10- Personal Finances

Marc Wilks

Kaplan University

MM 212
Professor Heather Bullard
October 3, 2015

Having an understanding of basic financial principles is essential for anyone who wants to exercise control over their personal income. Without it, how can anyone plan how to pay for next month’s bills, much less plan for retirement? I learned that a basic knowledge of financial basics is essential if I was to have any chance of being able to make the most of my personal income (LaPonsie, How to Stop Living the Paycheck to Paycheck Lifestyle August 6, 2015).
I had my first exposure to basic personal finance the last half of my senior year of high school. I learned about how …show more content…

The period in which the interest grows is known as the compounding period. Knowing how this process works can really help an individual see profit in their investments over the long term.
I will be more discerning when putting my money in an account. In the past, I have jumped at the highest interest rate, hoping to capitalize on the potential for a big return. But I learned that the highest rate is not always the best one. Going forward, I will be looking for the more consistent rates rather than the highest. I would rather deal with a rate that varies between 1-2 points rather than 4-5.
If I could give any advice to a young person about finances, I would tell them to have a long view of their money and to prioritize. The latest smart phone might look good with those new shoes, but the hundreds of dollars that they likely cost would do more good in an interest bearing savings account or mutual fund. I would tell them that money that is obtained get quickly can be lost just as fast. Make long term investments that can be seen to grow over the years. It is not about short term satisfaction, it is about long term security.

References

LaPonsie,Maryalene (August 6, 2015)

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