Students will learn how to create a monthly Spending Plan (a.k.a budget) and how to use it to effectively manage their money to prepare for emergencies and to achieve their goals.

From 2001 to 2003, I attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL. My major was Finance in the School of Commerce. The courses I completed include Business Calculus, Accounting, and Economics. 

From 2013 to 2015, I was employed as a Certified Pre-Purchase Housing Counselor. Below are some of the certifications I received during that time:
- Closing the Financial Literacy Gap through Student Loan Counseling
- Delivering Effective Financial Education
- Financial Management: Building Competency in Housing Counseling
- FreddieMac Credit Smart
- Homebuyer Education Methods: Training The Trainer
- Homeownership Counseling Certification: Principles, Practices and Techniques
- Mortgage Lending Fundamentals for Homeownership Professionals
- Mortgage Math Made Simple for Homeownership Professionals
- National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling Code of Ethics and Conduct
- Understanding Credit Reports and Credit Scoring
- eHome America Homebuyer Education Course

The training I received taught me to review credit reports and focus on areas that needed improvement. I was also taught how to teach others effective ways to utilize a Spending Plan to review income vs. expenses. Through the use of a Spending Plan, I taught clients how to take control of their finances by removing unnecessary expenses to pay off debt and save for an emergency fund, maintenance fund, and down payment on a house.

From the year 2015 to the present, I have been an active licensed Real Estate Agent. I have held a license in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Texas. The courses I have to take to get licensed include finance, specifically how to calculate principal mortgage payments, interest, taxes, and insurance. Every 2 years, I must take continuing education classes to renew my license. In those continuing education classes, I have taken courses in finance.