iii Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Introduction In today’s fast-paced economy, becoming financially literate is more challenging than ever. Foundations of Financial Literacy helps you meet that challenge. This text provides a comprehensive framework for learning about personal financial responsibility. You can discover how to make wise financial decisions that will help you lead a productive life and achieve financial security. As you progress through this textbook, you will learn how to make financial decisions related to earning money, spending money, and planning for your future. You will learn what you need to know when using credit, buying insurance, purchasing a car, and living on your own. An introduction to economics is presented to help you connect what you have learned about financial literacy to current national economic issues and to the global economy. A unit on career planning and digital citizenship will help you prepare for a career in the modern world. Becoming financially capable can begin for you today by studying Foundations of Financial Literacy. About the Authors Sally Campbell is a freelance writer and consultant in consumer economics. She has developed educational materials, including teacher’s guides, curriculum guides, textbooks, and student activity materials. She is a former editor and assistant director of the Money Management Institute of Household International, a provider of consumer loans and credit cards. She wrote educational materials related to money management, consumer information, and financial planning. Sally has a master degree in education from St. Louis University and completed the Certified Financial Planning Professional Education Program of the College for Financial Planning. She taught Family & Consumer Sciences and consumer education in the St. Louis public schools. She also served as an educational representative for the McCall Pattern Company. Robert (Bob) Dansby is an instructor of accounting, business, and personal finance at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Alabama, where he also serves as Chairperson of the Division of Business and Social Science. In addition, Bob is a private investor and a small business, tax, and personal finance consultant. He is the author of numerous textbooks and workbooks in the area of accounting, cost accounting, managerial accounting, business math, and personal finance. He has also written several articles for professional journals, served a five- year term as editor of the Georgia Business Education Association Journal, and has made over 30 presentations at national and regional business education and accounting conferences. Bob holds a PhD in business education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.