Cash-based budgeting is the first case in our financial literacy personal budget series. The case aims to help students understand personal financial decisions and retirement savings. This case consists of 11 parts, each designed to build foundational concepts and Excel skills necessary for effective budgeting.

• Part 1: Cash-based budgets
• Part 2: Format for understanding (data visualization)
• Part 3: Emergency Fund
• Part 4: Large purchase savings
• Part 5: Opportunity cost of borrowing money for a large purchase
• Part 6: Retirement planning
• Part 7: Retirement income targets
• Part 8: Projecting retirement account ending balance
• Part 9: Effects of employer contributions on retirement savings
• Part 10: Effects of early withdrawals on retirement
• Part 11: Loan payoff or investment

Each part includes practical exercises that encourage problem-solving and critical thinking, allowing students to apply financial concepts to real-world scenarios. Parts 1 - 9 have step-by-step instructions for students; whereas, Parts 10 and 11 are more open-ended and require students to use their skills to problem-solve.

Each part of this case stands alone, offering flexibility for faculty to choose the pieces applicable to their classroom. Instructional solution videos for Excel are also include to support concurrent learning.

Suitable courses: Personal finance

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