As we have been discussing for several weeks now, your final project will be a portfolio.  I recommend a nice 3-hole binder with several sheet protectors to hold documents.  A solid-color binder (i.e. black) can also be used.

You will keep résumés, references, job search tips, typing certificates, awards, etc. in your portfolio.  Portfolios will be something you can use to assist you in filling out applications, provide you with a place to keep extra résumés, and help you prepare for interviews.

Some of the things I will be looking for in your portfolio include:

• Résumé
• Cover Letter
• Sample Application
• Typing Certificate
• Letter of Recommendation
• (More coming in the next few weeks)

If you have questions or concerns, please let me know ASAP.

Today we will be watching the documentary, "Maxed Out".  We will be pausing the movie for brief questions/discussion, but we will use the entire period.  Your task today is to watch the movie and take notes which you will turn in at the end of class.  These notes will be "extra credit", but I do recommend that everybody do them.  This is an important subject which we will finish talking about on Friday.

We took the first few minutes of class today to discuss what we want to cover in Life Skills & Personal Finance.  We discussed the possibility of working toward a "Typing Certificate" and that seemed to be a pretty popular [almost unanimous] option.  We also discussed covering the following:

• Excel
• Financial Responsibility
• Income Tax
• Banking: Checking and Savings
• Housing: Mortgages, Buying vs. Renting
• Loans: House & Car
• Student Loans
• Egg Babies
• College Prep
• Paying for College: Grants, Cash Aid, FAFSA
• Investing
• Insurance (car & health)
• Which bank is best?
• Which insurance companies are best?

If you have other ideas or suggestions please let me know in person or by emailing me.