Web DebtSmart.com
DebtSmart.com
Thursday, November 14, 2024  
Printable Format   

The F.A.T. (Financial Aptitude Test) Test

Jim Garnett Jim Garnett is the CEO of AskMrG Consulting, a company focused on helping Americans gain control of their finances and get on a path to being debt free. Jim is also the "Mr. G" behind the AskMrG Financial Library and brings over 30 years experience as a counselor, speaker, and author to each endeavor. You can reach Jim at: AskMrG Consulting, 2216 SW 35th Street Ankeny, IA 50023; 515-577-1799, askmrg@yahoo.com

Do you know enough about finances to survive during these economic hard times? Take the F.A.T. Test and see.

Financial Aptitude Test (F.A.T.)

1. It is best to pay only the minimum payment due on a credit card bill each month rather than pay your bill in full. (True or False?)

2. Your credit record (your history of paying debts and other bills) can be a factor when you apply for a loan or a credit card, but will not affect your ability to get a job, get an apartment, or how much your car insurance will cost. (True or False?)

3. A debit card is a good alternative to a credit card for a young person because the money to pay for purchases is automatically deducted from a bank account, thus avoiding interest charges or debt problems. (True or False?)

4. There is no good reason to have an emergency savings account if you have credit cards to pay for emergencies. True or False?

5. When you use a credit card, it creates a debt. It is not the same as using money although both credit and money will buy things. (True or False?)

6. The best way to avoid a “bounced” check — that is, a check that gets rejected by your financial institution because you’ve overdrawn your account — is to keep your checkbook up to date and closely monitor your balance. (True or False?)

7. If you have access to buy something, it is proof that you can afford to buy it. (True or False?)

8. You receive an e-mail with a company logo you recognize . It is safe to help them “update your records” by sending them your social security number and account information. (True or False?)

9. If you do not want anyone to know how you pay your debts, you can “opt out” of having a credit record with your credit history on it. (True or False?)

10. Calculating how many hours you must work in order to buy an item will help you decide how much you want or need it. (True or False?)

Answers:
(1) False. Always pay the balance in full so as to avoid finance charges.
(2) False. One’s credit record affects a wide range of areas including all of these.
(3) True.
(4) False. An emergency savings account is a necessity because there is a great difference between paying for an emergency with money as opposed to credit!
(5) True.
(6) True.
(7) False. There are many things we have access to buy that we cannot afford to buy.
(8) False. Never send this type of information in response to an email of any type.
(9) False. There is no “opting out” of your credit history. You will have one, good or bad.
(10) True. This is a great way to estimate how much effort it takes to buy things.

Scoring Results:
10-9 Correct: Pretty Savvy
8-6 Correct: Could Use Refresher Course in Financial Matters
5 and Below Correct: Unprepared – Seek Financial Education Immediately

This entry was posted in Credit Cards, Financial Planning, Inspirational. Bookmark the permalink. Read more articles by Jim Garnett. (Also see articles by all authors and articles in all categories.)



Facebook Comments

 

Subscribe FREE and start finding new ways to save money and pay off your debt.

"The DebtSmart Email Newsletter is packed with cutting-edge strategies for solving credit problems. I highly recommend it."--Gerri Detweiler, radio host and author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook





DEBTSMART MEDIA MENTIONS
NBC 10 News:
Money King Secrets
<Photos and Video>
CN8:
Art Fennell Reports
<Photos and Video>
CNN: CNN Newsroom
<Photos and Video>
CNN: American Morning
<Photos and Video>
ABC: Action News
<Photos and Video>
CNN/fn: Your Money
<Photos and Video>
<See all Television Interviews>

Subscribe to the DebtSmart® RSS Feed
     
   Add to Google