Financial Planning, Part I

(BUS 02)

The world of personal finance appears highly complex, and often we willingly delegate control of this area of our lives to others, sometimes to total strangers. Using an entertaining, hands-on approach, this course demystifies that world and helps us to participate actively and wisely in shaping our own financial destiny. In Part I, offered this Fall, students identify their financial goals and plan a strategy to achieve them. We meet the apocalyptic Four Horsemen of Financial Planning—taxes (including the most recent tax changes), inflation, risk, and administrative costs— and see what mischief each causes and how to minimize their impact. Then we venture into the financial markets and learn about investing in stocks and mutual funds. Part II of the course, to be offered in Winter 2010, will cover investing in bonds and real estate, as well as specific strategies for retirement and estate planning based upon the foundation established in Part I.

Christopher Canellos, Lecturer, Graduate School of Business; University Tax Director

Christopher Canellos, a certified public accountant for more than two decades, has been a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business for more than twenty years. He is a recipient of the Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching.