Consumer Education Module
Consumer Education Module
Prepared by:
Celeste C. Alcantara, Ma. Roxanne T. Capitle, & Jade R. Gorospe
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For many people, finance terms sound like a foreign language. But if you don't understand the
basics of managing money and the lingo used to talk about it, it could be tricky to reach financial goals like
paying off debt, buying a home, or saving for retirement. The good news is that you don't have to be a Wall
Street pro to hit these targets. Mastering a few basic financial literacy concepts could help you get there.
- Financial literacy is a person's understanding of money topics. Someone who's financially literate would
be able to set a budget, manage a bank account, and achieve a good credit score. Financial literacy
could also include more complex skills like managing debt, buying insurance, investing, and retirement
planning.
- The more familiar you are with these topics, the higher your financial literacy. If you're not sure how
your financial knowledge stacks up, you could test your knowledge using free online quizzes from
reputable financial organizations or universities to measure your overall understanding of money
matters.
Financial literacy is important because you make financial decisions every single day. Being financially
literate could help you make better money choices and avoid costly missteps. For example, someone who
doesn't understand how credit card interest rates work might not realize how expensive it is to carry an
unpaid balance, so they fall into debt though having high expenses and low income is another common
reason. Because many parents don't discuss money with their children, unless you brush up on financial
literacy fundamentals, you could be at risk of repeating any money mistakes your family made.
Financial literacy is especially important when it comes to retirement. In the past, many workplaces
offered pension plans to cover employees' cost of living when they stopped working. Now, you likely need
to pay for retirement by yourself, using savings from an individual retirement account (IRA) or employer-
sponsored plan, like a 401(k). But if you don't know how to harness the power of these saving vehicles, you
might not have enough money in retirement. That's why it pays to be financially literate and understand the
different accounts that could be available to you.
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Key Concepts:
Improving your financial outlook could start with understanding some key topics and
bringing that knowledge into your day-to-day money management practices. Here's some of what
you need to know.
Bank accounts
A bank account gives you a place to save your money, pay bills, and deposit checks. The type of account
you use checking, savings, or money market, for example will depend on whether you plan to access your
cash daily, save it for an emergency, or grow it over time. And there may be other options.
Of the millions of bank account holders, many might not understand how their accounts work,
especially what banks might charge them. These could include fees for not keeping a large enough balance,
over drafting (or spending more cash than is available), or using out-of-network ATMs. Others offer low- or
no-fee accounts, often tied to regular direct deposits of paychecks, or higher annual percentage yields
(APY), which is a yearly return on the money you put in.
A budget
A budget tracks how much money you have coming in, as well as how much you spend and how
you spend it. By understanding where your money goes, you might find ways to cut costs and save more. A
good budgeter makes sure to never spend more than they bring home. Here are 7 steps to learn how to
budget. Want a personalized budget you don't have to make yourself? Fidelity's Budgeting ToolLog In
Required helps develop one for you. Plug in your income, and in seconds you'll get a budgeting framework
based on national average estimates you can easily tweak to fit your actual spending habits. To get more
specific suggestions, you can connect your bank accounts.
Emergency savings
You never know when you might need money because of losing your job, surprise car repairs, or
medical bills. Start by setting aside $1,000 or 1 month's worth of essential expenses. Then aim to build up 3
to 6 months' worth of expenses in your emergency savings account.
Credit cards can be a valuable tool if you use them wisely. But credit cards are loans, and they could get
you in trouble if you run up balances without paying them off before you get charged interest. Be sure to
read the terms and conditions that come with each card, so you understand how it works, including the
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APR interest rate, the payment deadlines, rewards, and penalties, like for missing a minimum monthly
payment or spending past your limit. These 7 credit card tips could also help.
If you have other loans, like a mortgage or student loan, they'll also have a specific set of guidelines,
interest rates, and deadlines that will determine how you'll pay them off.
Once a year, check your credit report as well. This report shows how well you've been managing debt
and may include a credit score, which sums up in a 3-digit number how reliable you are with paying back
debts on time. A higher score makes qualifying for future loans and credit cards easier and could potentially
get you better interest rates on mortgages, car loans, and other loans.
Financial planning is creating a comprehensive plan to help reach your financial goals. By
considering your whole financial life, it provides guidance on reaching both short-term targets as
well as larger, long-term ones, like retirement, buying a new house, saving for college, and/or
donating to charity. With this plan, you can determine how much you may need to save annually as
well as how to invest appropriately to hit these various goals.
While saving money in the bank is a good start, investments like stocks, bonds, mutual
funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could potentially grow your nest egg even more.
Insurance
Insurance helps protect you, your family, and your most valuable belongings (and could
keep you from having to pay out of pocket) in case of an accident, illness, or death. Some insurance
types to consider are life, disability, health, home, and auto. Consider having enough coverage to
protect your family in the event of loss, and discuss the details of your policies with your provider
so you know how they work before you need to file a claim.
Key Points:
Creating a budget helps you manage expenses, eliminate debt, and reach financial goals.
Multiple budgeting methods are available, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Regularly reviewing, adjusting, and analyzing your budget and spending habits is essential.
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At its core, a budget is a plan for allocating your income. It ensures that you can cover
your essential expenses such as housing, groceries, utilities, and monthly debt payments while also working
toward other financial and savings objectives. In essence, a budget helps you maximize your earnings.
Without one, you risk running out of money before your next payday.
Budgeting is vital for managing bills, paying off debts, and saving for future goals. There
are several methods to approach budgeting, and it doesn’t have to be complex or time-consuming.
Creating a budget is the first step to taking control of your finances, as it provides a clear picture of where
your money goes each month.
1. Evaluate your income expenses: Understand your earnings, spending habits, and whether you are
spending more than you make.
2. Select a Budgeting Method: Choose a strategy that suits you, such as the 50/30/20 rule or the
envelope system, to determine how much to save each month.
3. Identify Areas to Cut Spending: Find ways to reduce expenses and develop strategies to adhere to
these reductions.
4. Automatic Savings and Investment: Set up automated transfers to savings and investment accounts
to grow your money with minimal effort.
5. Track your budgeting process: Use tools like budgeting apps or spreadsheets to monitor your
progress and stay on track.
By following these steps and regularly revisiting your budget, you can effectively manage
your finances and work towards achieving your financial goals.
Once you have an estimate of your income, you need to determine your monthly expenses.
This includes rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, insurance, and gas. Don’t forget to
include any debts, such as credit card balances or personal loans. After gathering these figures,
compare your total monthly income to your total monthly expenses.
Balancing Income and Expenses
Expenses Exceed Income: If your expenses are higher than your income, you will need to explore
options such as earning additional income, reducing purchases, incurring debt, or a combination of
these strategies.
Income Exceeds Expenses: If your income surpasses your expenses, you have surplus funds that
you can allocate to savings, an emergency fund, or other financial goals.
Joint Financial Responsibilities
If you have a spouse or partner with whom you share financial responsibilities, it’s
important to know their monthly income and expenses as well. Collaborate on the budgeting
process to ensure both parties are informed and in agreement.
The next step is to develop a budget, a detailed plan outlining how you will allocate your
income each month to achieve your financial goals. There are several budgeting strategies to
consider, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few options:
50/30/20 Rule
The 50/30/20 rule has gained popularity over the past two decades. It suggests that you
allocate 50% of your income to essentials (housing, transportation, utilities), 30% to discretionary
spending (dining out, recreation, travel), and 20% to savings and investments.
Pros: Simple and easy to follow; does not require tracking every individual expense.
Cons: May not account for individual circumstances, such as living in a high-cost area where 50% for
essentials might be unrealistic.
70/20/10 Rule
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Similar to the 50/30/20 rule, the 70/20/10 rule offers a flexible budgeting framework. Under
this strategy, 70% of your income goes to wants and needs, 20% to savings and investments, and
10% to debt payments or charitable donations.
A zero-balance budget aims for your income minus expenses to equal zero each month. This
means allocating all your income first to essentials, then to wants, and finally to financial goals. For
instance, if you have an unspent $300 at the end of the month, you would put it into savings, make
an extra loan payment, or use it otherwise.
The pay yourself first strategy prioritizes your financial goals. For example, if you plan to
allocate $500 to your mortgage and $500 to savings each month, you subtract that $1,000 from
your monthly take-home pay (e.g., $4,000 – $1,000), leaving $3,000 for other expenses.
Envelope Budget
The envelope system, popularized by financial author Dave Ramsey, involves allocating cash
into envelopes designated for specific expenses (e.g., housing, utilities, food, entertainment). You
withdraw cash from these envelopes as needed throughout the month.
Pros: Visual and tangible, making it easier to understand and manage your budget.
Cons: Time-consuming and less practical in a digital economy where cash is not always accepted.
By choosing the right budgeting strategy, you can effectively manage your finances and
work towards your financial goals.
While creating your budget, it’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate your expenses. Ask yourself:
Are these expenses necessary? If they are, can they be reduced or made more affordable? This
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could involve renegotiating prices, switching service providers, or seeking out coupons and special
deals.
Here are some strategies to help you cut down on your expenses:
Increase Friction: Adding friction to spending can make it harder to spend money impulsively. For example,
removing saved credit card information from your favorite online shopping sites means you have to
manually re-enter it each time, which can deter unnecessary purchases.
Wait Before Buying: Implement a 48-hour waiting rule for purchases. If you want to buy something, wait
two days. If it still seems like a good idea after this period, go ahead with the purchase. This helps prevent
impulse buys.
Audit Your Monthly Subscriptions: Review all your subscription services to see how much you’re spending
and cancel any you don’t use regularly. This includes streaming services, apps, subscription boxes, and
Amazon’s Subscribe and Save.
Refinance Loans for Lower Rates: Refinancing loans like your mortgage, car loan, or even student loans
can reduce interest rates and monthly payments. This can free up cash for other important expenses. Be
sure to shop around with multiple lenders if you consider refinancing.
Meal Plan: Plan your meals for the week to stay on track at the grocery store and avoid last-minute dining
out. Make a plan for each day’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Even minor spending cuts can free up cash to pay down debt, achieve financial goals, or reduce
overall financial stress. By implementing these tips, you can better manage your expenses and create a
more effective budget.
Regardless of the budgeting method you select, incorporating savings into your plan is essential.
Automating deposits into your savings account can simplify the process and help you stay on track with
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your financial goals. Consider using a high-yield savings account to maximize your savings, as these
accounts offer higher interest rates compared to standard savings accounts.
Automating Savings
Setting up automated transfers from your checking to your savings account ensures that you
consistently save money without having to think about it. This reduces the hassle and ensures that
saving becomes a regular part of your financial routine.
Considering Investments
Once your savings are automated, consider investing any additional income you may have.
Investing can help grow your wealth over time. If you’re new to investing, consulting a certified
financial planner can be beneficial. They can provide guidance and help you choose the best
investment options to align with your financial goals.
By automating your savings and exploring investment opportunities, you can build a more
secure financial future while minimizing the effort required to manage these processes.
Budgets are dynamic tools that require regular monitoring, adjustments, and re calibration,
particularly in the beginning. You will need to adjust your spending habits as you go. The key is to identify
your spending trends and ensure they align with your financial priorities. For example, if you’re spending
$50 a week on soft drinks but prefer to save for a new gaming console, you should change your soft-drink
purchasing behavior.
While you can manually track your budget, using a budgeting app that connects to your bank
account can streamline the process. Apps like Rocket Money can help you create a budget, negotiate bills,
and reduce spending. Some budgeting apps also offer credit monitoring services, allowing you to track your
credit score and credit card usage alongside your budget.
Alternatively, you can create an expense-tracking spreadsheet in Excel, request receipts for every
purchase, and total them up at the end of each week or month.
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For those facing financial struggles, budgeting is particularly crucial. It helps you monitor spending,
stay on top of bills and expenses, and prioritize saving, which can improve your financial situation over
time. Additionally, consider applying for rental or housing payment assistance, utilizing food pantries, and
exploring health care sharing plans to reduce costs. Financial, debt, or credit counseling might also be
beneficial. The nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a good starting point.
Budgeting is essential for maximizing your income and achieving long-term financial goals. A solid
budget and financial plan are crucial for long-term financial wellness, avoiding issues like credit card debt,
and building net worth over time. There are many budgeting methods to try, and you may need to
experiment to find the best fit. Consulting a financial advisor can also help you choose the right budgeting
approach for your household.
Here are some positive habits that you should focus on developing when managing credit:
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3. Build a budget
Developing and sticking to a realistic personal budget will help you to better understand
what you can and cannot afford and can even help you to plan and save for large future purchases,
like a house.
5. Focus less on your credit score, and more on developing positive, lifelong habits
You are more than a number, and it is more important to be in good financial health than it is to
have a perfect credit score. Work on reducing your spending and eliminating your debt.
Evaluating the financial impact of consumption choices on sustainability is a complex but crucial
process. It involves understanding how our spending habits affect the environment and society, and then
making informed decisions that align with our values and promote a more sustainable future.
2. Lifecycle Assessment
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This method evaluates the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire
lifecycle – from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal or
recycling.
3. Carbon Footprint
Measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a person, organization, event, or product,
expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent. Consumption choices significantly contribute to your carbon
footprint.
Sustainable financial products are gaining significant traction as investors seek to align their
portfolios with their values and contribute to a more sustainable future. These products offer a diverse
range of investment options designed to generate positive social and environmental impacts while
providing financial returns.
The world of sustainable finance offers a variety of investment options, each catering to specific
goals and priorities:
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1. Green Bonds: These bonds are specifically designed to finance projects with clear
environmental benefits, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable
transportation. Green bonds provide a direct link between investment capital and projects
tackling environmental challenges.
2. Social Bonds: These bonds focus on financing projects that address social issues, such as
affordable housing, education, and healthcare. They offer investors the opportunity to
contribute to positive social change while earning a return.
3. Sustainability-Linked Bonds: These bonds offer investors financial incentives based on the
issuer’s performance in achieving specific sustainability goals. They incentivize companies to
improve their sustainability performance, creating a win-win for both investors and the
environment.
4. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Funds: These funds invest in companies that
demonstrate strong ESG performance, taking into account factors like environmental impact,
social responsibility, and corporate governance. ESG funds offer a comprehensive approach
to sustainable investing, considering the full spectrum of ESG factors.
5. Impact Investments: These investments aim to generate both financial returns and positive
social or environmental impacts. Impact investing focuses on directly addressing social and
environmental challenges, often targeting underserved communities or sustainable
enterprises.
Investing in sustainable financial products offers a compelling combination of ethical and financial
advantages:
Positive Impact:
These investments allow you to contribute to a more sustainable future by supporting companies and
projects working to address environmental and social challenges. You can align your investments with your
values and make a tangible difference in the world.
Financial Returns:
Sustainable investments can offer attractive financial returns, as investors increasingly recognize the
importance of ESG factors in long-term value creation. Companies with strong ESG practices are often
better positioned to manage risks and create long-term value.
Risk Mitigation:
Companies with strong ESG practices are often better positioned to manage risks associated with
environmental and social factors, leading to more stable and resilient investments. This can lead to lower
downside risk, especially during market volatility.
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While sustainable investing offers numerous benefits, it’s crucial to approach it with careful
consideration:
Due Diligence:
Thorough due diligence is essential to ensure that sustainable financial products align with your
values and investment goals. Evaluate the product’s sustainability criteria, investment strategy, and impact
measurement.
Transparency:
Look for products that provide clear and transparent information about their sustainability criteria,
investment strategy, and impact measurement. Transparency is crucial for understanding the true impact of
your investments.
Diversification:
Diversifying your portfolio with a mix of sustainable and traditional investments can help manage
risk and potentially enhance returns.
Here are some additional factors to consider when building a sustainable portfolio:
Risk Tolerance:
Assess your risk tolerance and choose investments that align with your comfort level.
Time Horizon:
Consider your investment time horizon and choose investments appropriate for your needs.
Professional Advice:
Consult with a financial advisor specializing in sustainable investing to create a personalized
portfolio that meets your specific goals.
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References:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-literacy.asp
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
353948030_Financial_Literacy_and_Sustainable_Consumer_Behavior
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