Personal Finance For Canadians 9th Edition Currie Solutions Manual
Personal Finance For Canadians 9th Edition Currie Solutions Manual
Personal Finance For Canadians 9th Edition Currie Solutions Manual
Chapter 1
Financial Planning
INTRODUCTORY NOTES
This chapter sets the stage for the many financial decisions people have to make. It
examines the need for and benefits of a personal financial plan, and it provides an
overview of a five-step process of making a financial plan. Later chapters elaborate upon
the factors involved in financial planning decisions. The terminology used in this chapter
will be explained in more detail later.
ASSETS
Liquid Assets
Cash, Bank Accounts (savings & chequing) $811.00 0.5%
Canada Savings Bonds $1,500.00 0.9%
Life Insurance Cash Surrender Value $4,000.00 2.4%
TOTAL LIQUID ASSETS $6,311.00 3.8%
Real Estate
Home (market value) $145,000.00 86.5%
TOTAL REAL ESTATE $145,000.00 86.5%
Personal Property
Vehicles $12,500.00 7.5%
TOTAL PERSONAL PROPERTY $12,500.00 7.5%
LIABILITIES
Short-Term Debt
Current Portion of Mortgage $7,454.88 6.7%
Current Portion of Car Loan $1,500.00 1.4%
TOTAL SHORT-TERM DEBT $8,954.88 8.1%
Long-Term Debt
Mortgages $88,545.12 80.1%
Long-Term-Portion of Car Loan $1,500.00 1.4%
Other Debts, Tuition, Business etc $10,000.00 9.0%
TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT $100,045.12 90.5%
RATIO ANALYSIS
Liquid Assets to Short-Term Debt 70%
Net Worth to Total Assets 34%
Jan and Dave’s liquid assets are too low compared with their current liabilities.
The couple may face liquidity problems since they can meet only 70 percent of
their current obligations.
Over 85 percent of their assets are tied up in a single asset - their home. This
could be risky if they need to sell their home after house prices have fallen. They
need to diversify.
Their net worth is 34 percent, which means that for every dollar of assets, Jan and
Dave own only 34 cents. In other words, creditors own 66 percent of everything
they have.
In a discussion with their financial counsellor Jan and Dave should raise the
following issues:
1. The need for a budget and better control of spending to enable
them to build up an emergency fund and retire short-term debts.
2. The need for retirement planning and tax deferment.
3. Provision for the children's education.
4. The need for a risk assessment
5. The need to review of their insurance coverage.
6. Diversification of their investments.
b. Cash flow
Cash Inflow
Cash Outflow
Housing $1,185.00
Food $650.00
Transportation $200.00
Gifts $150.00
Clothes $400.00
Entertainment $150.00
Magazines, etc. $35.00
Life Insurance $110.00
Debt repayment (except mortgage) $430.00
Baby Sitter $40.00
Miscellaneous $300.00
Total cash Inflow $3,650.00
Their cash flow situation shows that they have a cash inflow of $4,316 and a cash
outflow of $3,650, resulting in a net cash flow of $666 per month. Nothing is set
aside for medical expenses, personal spending, retirement savings, education
savings, or a vacation. The lack of weekly allowances is a sign of poor
management. The large miscellaneous expense also needs to be investigated. To
increase savings they could reduce their non-essential spending on gifts,
entertainment, and recreation.
c. If Dave could not work they would have problems. Their Canada Savings
Bonds could be redeemed, but this money would run out in a couple
weeks. If Dave got laid off or got sick he would have to at least two weeks
before receiving Employment Insurance, and this would be only 55
percent of his insurable earnings to a maximum of $423. Sickness
benefits would be paid for a maximum of 15 weeks. They could borrow
from the life insurance policy. It is possible that they will need to use their
line of credit, which will increase their debt load.
d. They don't seem to be saving very much. If they do not change, any
money they receive will be spent. Their debts might increase because of
emergencies or because they lack the savings to buy the things they want.
It is likely that they won't have enough money for retirement or for their
children's education.
e. Jan and Dave are not good financial managers. When they moved they
had no money set-aside for closing costs and new drapes. It was also
unwise to take out a loan for a new car just before moving. They need to
set some goals and identify priorities. Looking at their resources and
spending is a good place to start. They need to keep records so they can
check their progress and make any necessary changes.
2. Agree or disagree.
a. Agree. Small, short-term goals can be more easily achieved . Success will
encourage more planning.
b. This depends on your point of view. A budget can, however, give you
control over your financial affairs.
c. Disagree. Planning may help then to balance their income and spending.
d. Agree.
e. A newly married couple will have a greater need for a spending plan
because they do not yet know what their expenses will be. They also need
a financial plan to help define their financial values and goals.
f. Disagree. It may be difficult but it is important to make a plan because of
the irregularity of their income and expenses.
g. Disagree. You can budget for basic necessities, which correspond to a
minimum level of income and buy non-essentials when there is more
money.
h. Disagree. The unexpected can be included in a budget along with regular
expenses.
i. This is not necessarily true. While the amount of paperwork may be a
reason, there are others such as procrastination, which are just as
important.
3. Figure 1.1
a. Finding a job, career advancement, saving for an emergency fund, buying
a house, starting an investment portfolio, and paying off student loans.
b. Buying a house and furniture.
c. Setting up an education fund, buying disability insurance and life
insurance and estate planning.
SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES
1. Make a financial plan for yourself following the steps in the book. This involves
the following:
a. Identify your goals and priorities.
b. Assess your resources.
c. Balance future cash flows,
d. Develop and use control strategies.
e. Evaluate your progress.
This exercise can become the focus of the whole course by providing the students
the opportunity to apply the material they are learning about. They may learn that
they will be living a frugal lifestyle for a long time due to their large student
loans. This exercise also permits the students to build the plan as they proceed
through the course. Students should start the plan as soon as possible as it can
become daunting.