Contents III
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced economy, becoming financially capable is more
challenging than ever. Foundations of Personal Finance helps you meet that
challenge. This text provides a comprehensive framework for learning about
personal financial literacy. 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 also
presented to help you connect what you have learned about personal finance to
current national economic issues and to the global economy.
A new learning tool has been included to help you study. QR codes are
provided to use with your smartphone to go directly to selected text activities. In
addition, the G-W Learning mobile site makes it easy for you to study on the go!
Becoming financially capable can begin for you today by studying
Foundations of Personal Finance.
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. He is also
an adjunct instructor of accounting at Troy University. In addition to teaching,
Bob is also a small business, tax, and personal finance consultant. He is the
author of numerous textbooks and workbooks in the area of accounting,
cost 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.