Academics

Personal Finance Resources

 

Free Personal Finance Workshops

In each one-hour workshop, students learn fundamental financial planning skills such as budgeting, savings, wise spending, tax planning, credit and debt management, and investment. Workshops are offered via Zoom:

  • 10/3/24 Personal Finance Workshop organized with EOPS family
    Thursday October 3, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Prior Registration not required.
    Topic: Managing Costs and Health with Health Insurance
    Click HERE to access PowerPoint notes to the workshop  
  • 10/22/24 Personal Finance Workshop organized with Noncredit program
    Tuesday October 22, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Prior Registration not required.
    Topic: Tax and Financial Planning
    Click HERE to access PowerPoint notes to the workshop  
  • 11/7/24 Personal Finance Workshop organized with Rotaract Club
    Thursday November 7, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Prior Registration not required.
    Topic: Investing Do's and Don'ts
    Zoom link to join the workshop on November 7:  https://smc-edu.zoom.us/j/81996871819 

Students with disabilities who require accommodations should contact Center for Students with Disabilities at 310-434-4265 or at dsps@smc.edu at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Personal Finance Resources

How can I become financially literate?

Attend free personal finance workshops! Research about financial matters. And more importantly, take one of the two personal finance classes offered at Santa Monica College - BUS 45 or BUS 47, see course description provided below.

How much does it cost to attend a four year university?

comparison of university education cost in southern California
 

Do you know how much you can earn for your dream job?

Have passion, but be realistic.

How much student loan can you afford?

Debt Wizard Student loan calculator - Based on your intended profession and pay, find out how much student loan you can afford.

How long will it take you to pay off your student loan and other debt?

CNN Debt Calculator

How do I get help on managing my debt and my credit?

Check out information from Federal Trade Commission

Free credit reports

How can I save on Banking?

Best way to grow my money?

Take a personal finance course to learn about mutual funds and other investment options

What Budgeting tools can I use?

Sample Budget Excel worksheets: Budget Worksheets

Best Budgeting Apps per Investopedia

Best Budgeting Apps per Buy Side from Wall Street Journal

Best Budgeting Apps per NerdWallet

Compound Interest Calculator - power of savings 

How can I make informed financial decisions?

CashCourse is your guide to making informed financial choices. Get prepared for whatever life has in store: Register for a free financial planning tool, and take charge of your money.

Learn Personal Finance at SMC

We offer two personal finance courses, BUS 45 and BUS 47, as well as tax and investment courses, to help you master the skills you need - see courses listed below.

BUS 45, INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, 3 UNITS
This course provides students with the tools to achieve their personal financial goals. It will help them make informed decisions related to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing. Topics covered include personal financial planning; money management; tax strategy; consumer credit; purchasing decisions; insurance; investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate; retirement; and estate planning.

Business 45 is in the same class as Accounting 45. Students may earn credit for one, but not for both. Prerequisite: MATH 31. This course qualifies for CSU GE Area B4: Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking. Also qualifies for SMC AA GE Area IV - Group B Rationality.

BUS 47, UNDERSTANDING MONEY FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS, 1 UNIT
This course will provide students with the fundamental tools to make informed decisions that impact their short and intermediate-term finances. Topics covered include money management and the decision processes and behaviors underlying spending, saving, and borrowing.

Business 47 is the same course as Counseling 47. Students may earn credit for one, but not for both. This course qualifies for CSU GE Area E: Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development.

ACCTG 17, INCOME TAX PREPARATION (CTEC-APPROVED), 4 UNITS
This comprehensive course is intended for individuals to enter the tax profession and enable them to prepare individual tax returns for the general public, including individual taxpayers who operate sole-proprietor businesses. At the completion of the course, students will be able to prepare most individual tax returns and Schedule C for small business returns. This course is a qualified course by the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) and fulfills the requirements to become a California Registered Tax Preparer.

Contacts for more information regarding the above courses

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