Investing Fundamentals - Online Course

This series covers basic investing information and strategies. Fundamental topics covered include planning your financial goals, budgeting, managing diversification and risk, and options for retirement savings. Organization of finances is covered in detail, including analyzing net worth, putting aside emergency funds, and proper record keeping. An in-depth examination of investment options, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, is provided. The series concludes with a thorough discussion of planning for the future with solid investment strategies, retirement planning, and insurance coverage.

This series is for anyone who is interested in learning more about the ways to grow their money using stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. This online course contains 6 lessons and should take approximately 22 hours to complete.

Lesson 1: The Basics (3.0) hours

The Basics teaches you how to calculate compounded interest, make plans for financial goals, use 401(k) and IRA plans to their maximum benefit, balance diversification and risk, and make budget plans for investment funds. This course explains to users how to get a general picture of their personal financial situations and begin the process of investing. Topics include Making Realistic Plans, Maximizing Small Savings, Managing Risk, Diversification, Starting Out Slowly, Checking Up on Yourself, and Tightening the Budget Belt.

Lesson 2: Organizing (3.0) hours

Organizing teaches you how to examine net worth, select records for storage, maintain and use cash reserves, set financial goals, and get more information about investments. This course explains to users how to determine their financial situations and make plans for investment funds. Topics include Looking at Net Worth, Learning from Net Worth, Keeping Cash, Making Cash Reserves Work, Setting Financial Goals, and Learning More.

Lesson 3: Stocks (4.0) hours

Stocks teaches you how to explain the benefits of buying stocks, describe the major stock markets, distinguish between the types of stocks available, choose stock candidates, decipher a stock listing, research stock candidates, and trade stocks. This course explains how to choose and invest in stocks Topics include Introducing Stocks, Learning the Types of Stocks, Getting Started, Choosing Candidates, Reading the Stock Pages, Researching Online and Using Value Line, and Trading Stocks.

Lesson 4: Bonds (3.0) hours

Bonds teaches you how to distinguish between types of bonds (U.S. Treasuries, U.S. government agency bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds), determine the taxable equivalent yield for U.S. Treasuries and municipal bonds, explain any risk factors associated with different types of bonds, explain reasons for using municipal bonds in an investment portfolio, describe high-grade and high-yield corporate bonds and how they fit into a portfolio, explain the effects of rising interest rates on different types of bonds, and research and purchase different bond types. This course explains how to choose and invest in bonds. Each type of bond (U.S. Treasuries, U.S. government agency bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds) is explained and the unique advantages and disadvantages are described. Topics include Introducing Bonds, U.S. Bonds, Municipal Bonds, Corporate Bonds, and Researching and Buying Bonds.

Lesson 5: Mutual Funds (5.0) hours

Mutual Funds teaches you how to distinguish between types of funds, analyze mutual funds, choose mutual funds, and buy and sell shares in mutual funds. This course explains to users how to choose and invest in mutual funds. Topics include Introducing Mutual Funds, Stock Funds, Bond Funds, Analyzing Mutual Funds, Fund Evaluations and Online Research, Choosing a Mutual Fund, and Reviewing Fund Investing.

Lesson 6: Planning (4.0) hours

Planning teaches you how to invest for retirement, use IRA and 401(k) accounts, choose a life insurance policy, and choose disability insurance. This course explains how to prepare for the future with solid investing strategies, retirement planning and insurance coverage. Topics include Planning for Retirement, Using IRAs, Using 401(k) Plans, Life Insurance, and Disability Insurance.