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Perfin Journal
Perfin Journal
You don’t have to be a financial or accounting genius to win with money. Financial success isn’t reserved
just for the select few who actually enjoy running spreadsheets or earn accounting degrees. But you do
need to be what we call "money smart." That just means you need to understand some basic principles.
— DAVE RAMSEY
Survival: At this level there are simply income, bills, and hope there is enough money to get you
to the end of the month. Sounds like fun, right? You work for every dollar you earn and spend
everything you earn. This is the living "paycheck to paycheck" level of financial well-being.
Comfort: At this level, you have a basic understanding of money management. There are still
income and bills; however, you pay yourself first! You have a small monthly surplus you use to
save and invest. You are slowly building wealth and moving toward being financially secure.
Secure: Instead of saving and investing a small surplus, you arrange your finances in such a
way that your wealth now generates your income. That is right! At this level, your money actually
works for you.
1. How do you want your financial future to look?
I want to be wealthy and able to make a living.
Compound interest: Interest paid on interest previously earned; credited daily, monthly, quarterly
or semiannually
Emergency fund: Five hundred dollars in readily available cash to be used only in the event of
an emergency; the goal of the First Foundation
Interest rate: Percentage paid to a lender for the use of borrowed money (in debt); percentage
earned on invested principal (in investing)
Five Foundations: The five steps to financial success
Sinking fund: Saving money over time for a large purchase
1. What are your initial thoughts about saving?
I think saving is smart and responsible. I also believe it will pay off in the end.
2. What do you want to learn about saving?
I want to learn more about the initial process of saving.
Five hundred dollars might sound like a lot, but you'd be amazed at how quickly you can pile up
some cash! First, make it a goal. Next, set a target date. Goals need a timeline. Here are some
money-making ideas: If you get a regular allowance from your parents, save it! Say goodbye to
fancy coffees, vending machine goodies, and fast food. Okay, not forever! Those are fun treats.
Try limiting yourself to a Friday splurge and saving your money the other days of the week.
Hold an auction. Gather things you don't use or need anymore, like expensive clothing or your
unused gaming system (get your parents' permission, of course) and sell them online or at a
garage sale. You won't believe how much money you have in the form of unused stuff!
Become an entrepreneur! Hand out fliers in your neighborhood advertising baby-sitting or yard
work services.
If you're old enough and your schedule allows it, get a part-time job on the weekends.
Communicate your money goals to your parents. They might be willing to pay you for doing
extra jobs around the house or for getting good grades.
If your parents (or other relatives) own a business, see if they have part-time work for you there.
Consider tutoring. Some teens report earning as much as $20 an hour.
Take advantage of summer months off from school. Explore being a camp counselor, golf caddy,
or lifeguard.
Watch local advertisements for people needing pet sitters or house sitters when they go out of
town.
Use your skills. Think about what you are good at. You might offer horseback riding lessons,
Spanish lessons, or piano lessons
1. What has kept you from saving in the past?
Tj Maxx
2. Based on what you've learned, how can you change this?
Become more responsible.
1. Explain how having an emergency fund helps protect your wealth
Incase of an emergency you wouldnt lose completely everything, you would still have some just
incase which is wise to do so. :))
1. Why do you think so many people borrow money for large purchases instead of using a
sinking fund? Because they don’t want to use there own money theyd rather use someone elses
not taking in thought the amount of debt theyd be left in.
How is saving an exercise in you're budgeting?
1. How is saving an exercise of your character?
It shows how responsible I can be.
1. Why don’t more people save for the future?
We are too focused on spending for ourselves now rather than for the future.
2. Which reasons can be fixed by having a money plan?
Emergency fund, purchases and wealth building.
On average, how much money do you spend per week?
$30
What are your top three expenses?
Food, items, and online shopping.
Budgeting is crucial to your success. Your income is your responsibility. If you get to retirement
with a mountain of debt and nothing to live on, it is no one else's fault. But beyond the obvious
financial benefits of managing your money well, there are a ton of other reasons to pull out the
budget forms every month. It may sound nerdy or old fashioned, but it is not. Keeping a budget
is really helpful for everyone. A simple, written plan can actually give you more money to enjoy
Ten Things Millionaires Do Not Do
Buy brand-new cars
Eat out on a regular basis
Replace what is not broken
Impulse buy
Carry debt
Visit the tanning bed
Buy brand-name clothes
Desire instant gratification
Socialize with people who waste money
Spend more money than they earn
1. Describe in your own words what it means to have a budget
A plan for your money.
1. What do you think is most challenging when it comes to keeping a monthly budget?
Struggling to make ends meet.
What is the Difference Between a Cash Flow Statement and a Budget? A cash flow statement
summarizes all of the income and outgo (spending) over a certain time period. A budget is a
written plan for saving, giving and spending. The cash flow statement is reflective of what has
already taken place, and a budget is a proactive plan of what will take place.
The average new-car loan now is at 65 months, a term previously unheard of. Even
more distressing is that financing for new cars with terms from 73 months to 84 months—that's
six-and seven-year plus notes jumped 19.4% in 2012. With these terms, you'll be upside down
(owe more than the car is worth) almost as soon as you drive off the lot
I believed the giving myth.
Section 1: Beware and Be Wise
Understand the long-term impact of student loans.
Section 2: Start With the End in Mind
Identify reasons for not taking on debt to fund your education.
Section 3: Cash-Flow Your College Education
Develop a plan to attend college without acquiring debt.
Demonstrate how to apply for financial aid.
Section 4: Education Options for the 21st Century
Identify the educational requirements, training and cost for your career of choice.
Analyze post-high school education and career training options.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): A form that is completed annually by current
and prospective college students to determine their eligibility for financial aid
Grant: A form of federal or state financial aid that does not need to be repaid; usually given to
students who demonstrate financial need
Scholarship: A form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid; usually awarded on the
basis of academic, athletic or other achievements
Work study: A program that allows students to work part time while continuing their studies
1. Not every career requires a four-year degree. Have you researched the education
requirements for your career of choice? If so, what education options do you have? If not,
research the education requirements for your career choice(s) and write them in your journal.
No i have not yet.
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15.What Are Essentials for 3–6 Months of Expenses?
Things that are needed. Expenses that are life useful
16.Using their Emergency fund
Not an emergency dont use it. Build your budget and move things around, adjust your
spendings.
17.On average, how much money do you spend per week?Probably 30 dollars i rarely
spend just because i dont want to spend the little amount of money i have.
18.What are your top three expenses?
My data for my phone, my hair products, and hair.
19.Describe in your own words what it means to have a budget.
It means to have a plan for your money.
20.What do you think is most challenging when it comes to keeping a monthly
budget?
The challenge is staying organized and consistent with your monthly amount.
21.Explain why Dave describes overdrafts as a sign of "crisis living.
Basically because people are immature and sloppy with money.
22.Why do you think it is so common in America to spend more than you make?
Another super common reason why people consistently spend more than they earn is
desire. Desire leads to suffering, but most people don't realize this.
23.Explain in your own words a zero-based budget.
It’s making a budget with all of the expenses you’ll spend that month and basically you just have
the exact amount so everything will be accounted for.
24.Why is it important to write a zero-based budget every month?
It makes sure every dollar you make is assigned a specific purpose.
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25.trial and error-The more years and months that you budget, the more accurate you’re
going to be—the more able you are to anticipate things.
26.you cannot out-earn a budget-You cannot out-earn doing a budget. You have to do a
detailed written budget, and you’ve got to be very careful. It’s what you want to do. It’s your goal,
and you’re convinced you can make it.
5. Have you ever bought something you thought would make you happy, but in the
end it didn't? Yes, HBO max i got a subscribtion i think it was 10 a month and ive maybe
watched 3 movies and 2 shows. Was definitely a waste of money.
6.Can you think of anything in your home that was bought but never or rarely used?
A kitchen set and I swear my mom hasnt used it once.
7.Explain why it is important to develop power over purchase.
Purchasing power is important because, all else being equal, inflation decreases the number of
goods or services you would be able to purchase.
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8. The buying decision- Don’t make a decision without running throught every single
situations or scenario.
9.Fighting Buyer’s Remorse- The decision was not made in wisdom; it was made in impulse.
Meaning you did not think through and use wise decision-making processes to make a solid
decision that you’re comfortable with.
10.Explain the best deal you've ever negotiated.
My sibling and I negotiated with my grandma. She wanted to go on vacation to the beach and
we convinced her to go to hawaii.
11.Why do you think it's so uncommon for people in our culture to negotiate?
Because they don't want to insult or offend.
12. Explain why it is not necessary to purchase product replacement warranties.
It only covers a small portion of the product you purchase, it is mostly for commission for the
salesperson.
13.Explain how you can get a better deal on something using cash rather than credit.
Cash makes it easier to budget and stick to it.You can get a good deal when you use cash.
There's no better bargaining chip than a pocket full of cash.
14.Explain why silence is powerful when negotiating a deal.
Silence gives the other person space to speak, and it displays your willingness to listen and
learn more.
15.Why is bargain shopping an important part of a healthy financial plan?
It makes your hard-earned money go further.
16.Have you ever used soical media to get a great deal on something?
Yes, many times over either clothes, accessories,utilities, and much more.
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17.Big Car Debt, small income- You don't need to have a car that's worth as much as your
income. There is no way to possibly get ahead with that. This car has to be sold, and that will
get rid of half the debt. Then get her a $1,000 or $2,000 car that she can pay cash for until she
can save up and buy a little better car.
18.Best Ways to Bargain-Usually the best way to get a bargain on stuff is last year’s model or
scratch-and-dent. There is margin in that stuff because at that point, that stuff’s almost
throwaway.You don’t just buy top-shelf, first-drawer everything.
19.List your initial thoughts about investing.
Hard, difficult, would never understand.
20. What do you want to learn about investing?
I want as much knowledge as possible on the subject. Because i am highly considering this as a
career.
21.As a young adult, what is the most important thing you can invest in?
Your retirement, it’s imporant because you’ll have had your money working many years for you.
That causes you to have a wealthy retirement.
22. If you were giving advice to a friend, what would you say are the most important
things to know about investing?
I’d say not to invest more than they are willing to lose. Another thing I would tell them about is
liquidity and how if there is more liquidity, there is usually less return.
23.Explain why single stocks carry a high degree of risk.
Single stocks have no diversification in your investment. Investing in mutual funds ensures
diversification, and that lowers risks.
24.Which are a better investment, stocks or mutual funds? Explain your answer.
25.What is real estate?
26. Why is it considered an investment?
27.Why do you think it is important to consider both salary and benefits when
applying for a job?
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28. Dave Doesnt have a system- The studies that have been done of individuals buying and
selling single stocks on behalf of their own account using a strategy.If someone came up with a
stock trading formula. But Dave's whole point is he’s agreed upon it being too risky to really buy
into it.
29. Count Employer Contribution- Putting 15% of your income into retirement funds, is what
your company matches, what your pension is. Having money in your name that you put in there
won’t hurt you in the long run.
30.What do you think is the purpose of insurance?
It's to reduce financial uncertainty and make accidental loss manageable.
31.Explain why insurance is an important part of your financial plan.
Because it protects you and your loved ones from the costs associated with accidents,
disability, illness and death.
32.What are some ways you can save on car insurance?
Shop around for your car insurance, compare insurance costs before you buy a car, raise your
deductible and/or take advantage of low mileage discounts.
33.Explain why having health insurance is important even if you are young and
healthy.
Unfortunate accidents and illnesses happen every day, even if you're young and healthy. Without
health insurance, you will be responsible for 100% of your medical bills if you get sick or injured.
34.Describe how the different parts of insurance (premium, deductible, co-payment,
and policy limits) can affect out-of-pocket costs.
In terms of health insurance, out-of-pocket expenses are your share of covered healthcare costs,
including the money you pay for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Health insurance plans
have an out-of-pocket maximum that caps the amount you pay each year for covered healthcare
expenses.
35.At what stage of life will the cost of your healthcare needs be most expensive?
Being born is somewhat expensive and childhood costs peak when you're under five years old.
Healthcare costs are lowest from age 5 to 17 at just $2,000 per year on average. From then on
it's a steady increase, however, with costs rising to over $11,000 per year when you're over 65
years old.
36. Explain why identity theft protection is so important.
Your personal information could be stolen and used by criminals in a variety of ways. Identity
theft protection can help you reduce your risk of fraud and identity theft.
37.What is duplicate coverage, and why should you avoid it?
Duplicate coverage means to take more than one insurance policy from two different
companies. It can be avoided because of the cash value.
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38. When do I need umbrella insurance?
You should get umbrella insurance when your net worth exceeds the limits of your homeowners
or auto liability insurance policy. Umbrella insurance extends your liability limits to $1 million or
more, which can better protect you against expensive claims or lawsuits if you have a
particularly high net worth.
39. Parents with too much power
Just because they are your family doesn’t mean to trust them. Even your family will steal from
you and leave you with the debt.
40. What are your initial thoughts about money and relationships?
That if you need to borrow money it’s a straight no. I dont trust people to pay me back, i
dont trust people to be honest, i dont trust the principle of if you give me this then, ill give
this back.
41. What do you want to learn about money and relationships?
Everything that I can possibly know.
42.Have you ever witnessed money affecting a relationship close to you?
Yes, and they have 100% never turned out good or fixed.
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43. Changing hats- Put yourself in someone's point of view and change the hats around.
Just be considerate about other people and their wellbeing.
44.Anxious security gland- Basically pay it off then and now.
45.Would you describe yourself as a Nerd or a Free Spirit when it comes to handling
money? I just hate spending. Having enough money is one thing but having more than
enough is just right to me. I want more than expected for me and i dont know i guess that
makes me a nerd.
46. How will this chapter change the way you talk to your parents about money?
47. What are your interests?
48 What are your career goals?
49 How would you describe yourself?
50.Describe your ability to work as part of a team.
51.What are some of your personal strengths and weaknesses?
52. Write down what your negative voice says about you. Refute that voice with the
truth and share it with others.
53.Describe a recent goal you set for yourself. What did you do to make reaching that
goal a success?
54. Describe a work experience that has helped you develop valuable
career attributes such as a strong work ethic, respect, commitment, etc.
working at Carmacks Fishbarn
55.Which careers compliment your passions and strengths?
Real Estate
56. Describe a recent goal you set for yourself. What did you do to make
reaching that goal a success?
drink more water so i set a goal for it
57.Which of these comes naturally to you?
Social
58.Which of these do you struggle with?
Boredom
59. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when
looking for a job?
To find something you're passionate about
60.Summarize what Jon Acuff means when he talks about being willing
to expand your "Three Circles" when looking for a job.
To basically find what you LOVE to do, not what pays the most.
61.Describe some costs and benefits associated with paying taxes.
You get money back every year , but everything you buy also has tax
than you have to pay
62. Do you feel as though giving is an important part of your financial
plan? Why or why not? Yes , its always good to help people no matter
my situation
63.How can giving of your time and talents align with your core values?
Youll find more you love.
64.When you are doing your monthly budget, why do you think it is
important to have "giving" placed at the very top?
Good things come back to you when you give!