The Tool Box

As part of the workshop, all students are given the Tool Box. Inside the Tool Box, students will find several tools that can be used to implement many of the concepts and principles learned in the workshops. The Tool Box has a retail value of over $70.

Included in the Tool Box are:

The book Leveraged to the Hilt?: This is Professor Bill’s book about managing personal finances with a focus on becoming debt free. In addition, the book contains a CD with several software programs all designed to take the math out of the process. One of the programs will develop your own personalized plan to get out of debt.

Handouts: Copies of all the slides used in the presentation.

Calculator: The Texas Instruments BA II Plus Business calculator is optional, however it is highly recommended that participants purchase this wonderful tool. We will show you how to use it; it could be life changing.

TVM: The time value of money lesson is narrated on the CD.

Affordability Model: This model is included in the package and is also on the CD. The inputs to this model are the price of a home, interest rate, number of years, and the user’s tax bracket. The outputs are estimates of the mortgage amount, PMI, real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and the equivalent rent payment. Five different scenarios are calculated with each scenario representing down payment amounts varying from 0% to 20%.

Education Software Planning Tool: This tool calculates your shortfall based on college selection and current savings.

The “Can I Retire?” Model: This retirement planning tool calculates your savings’ shortfall and the monthly amount needed to overcome the shortfall.

Distribution Model: This model allows you to see the impact of both conservative and aggressive distribution strategies.

Mortgage Acceleration Program: This program considers five different acceleration methods. It displays the interest and timesavings as well as the return on invested dollars.

Mortgage Refinancing: Find out quickly if refinance makes sense for you.

Calculator Instructions: A copy of the Instruction Book for the calculator is at your fingertips.