Develop and Use Saving Plan
Develop and Use Saving Plan
motor vehicles
travel
domestic white goods
store credit
student loans including the Higher Education Contribution Scheme.
1.3 Analyzing and Discussing the Importance of Setting Financial Goals and Developing a
1
accumulating a set amount of money by a specified date in the future for the purposes of:
purchasing assets
financing holidays, educational expenses, home renovations and other known future
expenses
establishing a deposit for an investment such as a home or investment property
You may be asking yourself why is there so much pressure to save money. If you have enough to
pay for everything you need, why should you worry about putting any aside each month? There
are a variety of reasons to begin saving money. Different people save for different reasons. Here
are seven reasons that you may consider saving your money.
It is important to have an emergency fund set aside to cover unexpected expenses. This could
cover an unexpected car repair, your emergency appendectomy or a sudden job loss. Ideally your
emergency fund should be about three to six months of your expenses. If you are just starting out
you should put aside at least br.1000.00 for this. In addition to your emergency fund you need to
make sure you have a plan and good insurance in place to help you survive the unexpected
financial events in your life.
2
2. Save for Retirement
Another important reason to save money is your retirement. The sooner you start saving for
retirement, the less you will have to save in the future. You can put your money to work for you.
As you continue to contribute overtime you will be earning more interest on the money you
have, then you put in each month. You should at least be contributing up to your employer's
match and eventually you will want to contribute ten to fifteen percent of your gross income.
A third reason to save money is for a down payment on a house. Your negotiating power goes a
lot farther when you have a significant down payment towards your home. You will receive
better interest rates, and be able to afford a bigger home. You can determine how much you save
towards this each month depending on your circumstances.
A fourth reason to save money is to have fun. You can save up for your tour of Gonder or that
Tana Monarchy cruise. Your negotiating power is stronger if you have cash in hand on bigger
purchases. Even if you save up for your vacation, you should try save on your vacation expenses.
A fifth reason is to purchase a car with cash. You will be amazed at how much money you can
free up in your budget if you do not always have a car payment. You can also negotiate the price
of the car much lower if you are willing to pay cash at the dealership.
A sixth reason is to set up your sinking funds. A sinking fund is money you set aside for future
repairs or improvements on your car, home or other possessions. This planning can help you to
stop dipping into your emergency fund every time you need to fix your car.
7. Your Education
3
A seventh reason to begin saving money is for your future education. Each year more people
return to school to earn their masters or doctorate degrees. You may also consider saving for
your child's education when the time comes
1.3 Analyzing and Discussing Different Attitudes to Savings and Investment and
Exploring the Individual's Own Spending Habits
Attitudes to savings and investment differ and may encompass those who:
believe it is essential in order to manage their money and achieve future financial
goals
lack interest in or the discipline to save and therefore live from one pay packet to the
next
occasionally think about saving but who do not take active steps to save.
Money is a common problem regardless of your income, age or education. Sometimes a lack of
income causes money hassles and arguments. More often inadequate discussion about money
and our feelings about money is the root of financial problems.
When household members have different attitudes about spending and saving money, or when
unrealistic goals are attempted, there is a potential for conflict. Preventing and overcoming
money problems takes honest and open communication. It also takes time and effort.
Be willing to arrange a specific time when all household members can talk about money. Choose
a location where you won’t be interrupted. Meet on a regular basis instead of waiting until
problems
4
✓ Recognize that whoever earns the money doesn’t also earn the right to dictate how it should
be spent.
✓ Let each household member freely state wants, needs and personal feelings.
✓ Listen carefully.
Communication about money is critical for a spending/savings plan to work for the entire
household. When people don’t talk about money, even the most workable spending/savings plan
may face ruin.
The concept of risk versus return refers to the general truth that:
the higher the risk of the investment, the higher the expected return
the lower the risk of the investment, the lower the expected return.
2.2 Determining an Individual's Risk Profile Based on Current and Future Requirements
and the Individual's Level of Risk Aversion
the level of risk an individual is comfortable with when investing the money.
2.3 Identifying, Assessing and Discussing the Impact of Inflation on the Earnings Power of
Money
Inflation refers to:
5
the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index which is a quarterly survey of the
retail price of a basket of goods and services consumed by the general population.
The first step of developing a spending/savings plan is to identify your goals. If your goals are
identified first, all your money won't be spent with little or none saved. By identifying goals first,
you will realize what you want to save toward and it will get you in the habit of saving. Goals
may include saving for emergencies, buying school clothes, paying off the balance on a credit
card, buying a new or used car, or saving for a child’s education.
Encourage each member in your household to think of goals, including short-term (less than 1
year), intermediate (1-5 years) and long-term (more than 5 years). List all the goals from each
person in the household in the "Identifying Goals Chart" below.
6
Long-term Goals- More than 5 years
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
During Step 2 of developing a spending/savings plan you'll be deciding on the goals you want to
save toward. Discuss the short-term, intermediate, and long-term financial goals listed on the
"Identifying Goals Chart”, on the above chart, with the members of your household. If all
household members agree on the financial goals, they will be more willing to work toward
reaching each goal. Ask them to state their most important short- term, intermediate and long
term goal. Agree on the goal(s) all of you will try to achieve. Be willing to listen and as a group
settle differences.
List the agreed upon priority goal(s) on the "Personal Budget plan" (UC 08). Set a date when
each goal will be reached (example: down payment for a car September 20 or build an
emergency fund). Determine the total birr amount for each goal. To get the approximate monthly
savings, count the number of months from now to the target date and then divide the total birr
amount by that number of months. You now know the approximate amount of money that is
needed to be saved each month in order to reach each goal.
7
Goals need to be:
specific
measurable
achievable
realistic
timely.
Teaching material for calculating the amount needed to achieve identified financial goals
is prepared on a separate sheet of paper
Exercise 01
Exercise 02
Exercise 03
3.3 Investigating the Range of Financial Product Options Available to Maximize Earnings
on Savings
The range of financial product options available to maximize earnings on savings are
investigated and the most appropriate is selected according to own requirements
Requirements to consider when selecting a financial product for savings or investment may
include:
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account keeping fees, ongoing fees and charges and other non-government
fees and charges
additional services offered
ease of access to funds
level of risk involved
locality of the institution
minimum opening balance required
potential tax implications
rate of interest earned
reputation of the financial institution
term to maturity.
The amount of interest your money earns in a savings account often depends on the type of
financial institution you have selected and the type of account. Banks and credit unions are
different animals. While banks are commercial businesses, credit unions are typically non-profit
cooperative organizations that are organized for specific groups of people. For example, state
employees usually have access to a State Employees Credit Union. Typically, loans are less
expensive at credit unions, but interest rates may not always be as high as what you can get at a
bank. This isn't always the case, though. Currently, some credit union interest rates are higher
than what you will find at some banks. Sometimes credit unions also pay interest on accounts
that banks usually don't pay interest on, like checking accounts. But, you have to be a member in
order to open an account.
Banks usually offer two types of savings accounts: a basic savings account, and a money market
account.
The basic savings account (sometimes called a passbook savings account) will usually
have either no minimum balance requirement or a low one, but will offer a very low
9
interest rate (meaning your money won't earn that much). In previous year, the average
interest rate at banks for basic savings accounts was three percent. A typical basic savings
account lets you withdraw your money whenever you want.
Money Market accounts usually pay more money in interest, but will typically require
you to have more money in the account. You also may be limited to how many
withdrawals you can make in a month. Sometimes, in addition to the withdrawals, you
can also write up to the three checks on a money market account each month.
Costs Involved
Sometimes, but not always, banks charge fees for having a savings account. The fee may be low
-- like a birr a month -- or it may be higher or it could even be based on your balance. For this
reason, you should always shop around and compare what different banks are offering. Things
you should look at include:
Depository institutions may offer a great variety of accounts, but they generally fall within one of
these five types of bank accounts:
Checking Accounts
A checking account is a type of bank account from which you use checks to withdraw your
money. You may use checks to pay your bills, purchase products and services (at businesses that
accept personal checks), send money to friends and family, and many other common uses. You
can also use checks to transfer money into accounts at other banks and financial institutions. You
have quick, convenient, and, if needed, frequent-access to your money. Typically, you can make
deposits into the checking account as often as you choose. Many banking institutions will enable
10
you to withdraw or deposit funds at an automated teller machine (ATM) or to pay for purchases
at stores with your ATM card.
Some checking accounts pay interest; others do not. A regular checking account - frequently
called a demand deposit account - does not pay interest, while a negotiable order of withdrawal
(NOW) checking account does.
Banks and financial institutions may impose fees on checking accounts, besides a charge for the
checks you order. Fees vary among banks. Some institutions charge a bank account maintenance
or flat monthly fee regardless of the balance in your checking account. Other institutions charge
a monthly fee if the minimum balance in your checking account drops below a certain amount
any day during the month or if the average balance for the month drops below the specified
amount. Some banks charge a fee for every transaction in your bank account, such as for each
check you write or for each withdrawal you make at an ATM. Many institutions impose a
combination of these banking fees.
Although a checking account that pays interest may appear more attractive than one that does
not, it is important to look at fees for both types of checking accounts. Often checking accounts
that pay interest charge higher bank fees than do regular checking accounts, so you could end up
paying more in fees than you earn in interest.
11
market accounts.
Savings Accounts
Another type of bank account, a savings account, allows you to make withdrawals, but without
the flexibility of using checks to do so. As with a money market account, the number of
withdrawals or transfers you can make on the savings account each month is limited.
Many banking institutions offer more than one type of savings account -- for example, passbook
savings and statement savings. With a passbook savings account you receive a record book in
which your deposits and withdrawals are entered to keep track of transactions in your savings
account; this record book must be presented when you make deposits and withdrawals. With a
statement savings account, the bank regularly mails you a statement that shows your withdrawals
and deposits for the savings account.
As with other types of bank accounts, a bank may assess various fees on savings accounts, such
as minimum balance fees.
Because you agree to leave your funds for a specified period, the bank may pay you a higher rate
of interest than it would for a savings or other type of bank account. Typically, the longer the
term, the higher the annual percentage yield.
Sometimes a bank allows you to withdraw your principal funds before maturity, but a penalty is
frequently charged. Penalties vary among banks, and they can be hefty. The penalty could be
12
greater than the amount of interest earned, so you could lose some of your principal deposit.
A bank will notify you before the maturity date for most certificate of deposit accounts. Often
certificates of deposit renew automatically. Therefore, if you do not notify the bank at maturity
that you wish to take out your money, the certificate of deposit will roll over, or continue, for
another term.
Name:__________________________
Date:___________________________
When shopping for someplace to keep your money, it’s important to look for the one that fits
your needs the best. You’ve already located one bank and one credit union near where you live
or go to school, and you’ve accessed their websites. Use information from those websites to
answer the following questions. These will help guide you to choose the best option.
13
Step 1:
What types of accounts are available? What other services do they offer that you would be
interested in?
Bank:_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Credit Union:__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
You have to be a member to open an account at a credit union – what are the requirements for
membership at the credit union you’ve chosen? What is the minimum birr amount you can open
a checking/share account with at both the bank and credit union? What else is necessary to open
an account?
Bank:______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Credit Union:_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Choose three types of accounts to compare. Write what type of account it is and what the interest
rate is for each.
What are your impressions, based on the website, of the customer service provided by the
depository institution? ____
Bank:_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Credit Union:__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Are the bank and credit union you’ve chosen insured by state or federal laws? ____
Bank:_________________________________________________________________
Credit Union:___________________________________________________________
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Does it have ATM’s in the area? ____
Bank:_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Credit Union:__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Kebele/woreda ID cards;
Farmers associations’ ID cards;
Employment and pension ID cards;
School, college and university ID cards;
Driver’s/operator’s licenses;
Tax identification ID card;
Passports;
Work or residence permits; and
Foreign-nationals-of-Ethiopian-origin ID card, together with a valid passport.
Ethiopian Community ID.
16
A. For Literate Customer
Interview and identifying customer interview
Customer fills in opening application form
Customer must sign three identical signature on application form and on two specimen
cards
Customer must present two recently taken picture of himself/herself and write the name ,
A/c number of the customer on the back of the photos
Register name of customer on register book and assign an account number
Telling customer to fill in deposit voucher by indicating account number
Pass book is prepared in the name of the customer, address like kilil, zone, kebele, house
number should be filled,
Accept telephone fixed or mobile, neighbor or relatives,
If ID of customer is not kebele type put the name of the organization/company in place of
occupation rather than specific jobs.
Pass the document after finalizing to supervisors for checking and approval
Upon approval, the documents are passed to PC operator for posting
Distinguish on pass book if AND account, AND/OR account, For accounts and non-
interest bearing
If non-interest bearing register on mandate file
If the account is a joint fill our joint account declaration form
After posting pass to internal auditors for checking
After pass the pass book, ID’s and deposit voucher to receiving teller
Application forms and specimen cards will be filed under supervision of auditor
B. For Illiterate Customers
Same procedures can be applied for illiterate customer in addition to the following
Illiterate person puts his right hand thumb on two signature cards, application should be
attested by rubber stamp bearing “signed before me”
Attach one photograph on one specimen signature card and the other on the passbook
bearing seal of the branch usually crossing stamps
Pass all documents to the supervisor for approval
17
Pass to PC operator for posting
After verifying initialing, the document are passed to the auditor
Then pass the pass book, ID’s and deposit voucher to receiving tellers
One specimen signature card is forwarded to the auditors and the remaining will be kept
with signature verifier
C. For Blind Customer
Same procedures used for opening an account for literate person also applied
But, when a blind customer withdraw, two witness must be present, one from customer
side and other from bank side who must be senior staff
The two witness should be witness the transaction and sign to the effect on the voucher
Withdrawals
a) For literate customer (no comment)
b) For illiterate customers
Bank staff should fill the voucher and let him/her put his/her right hand thumb print
on the voucher
Identify the customer against his/her photograph on the pass book and verify by
stamping on the voucher near his/her finger print “signed before me” stamp
Forward the pass book and voucher to PC
Then to auditors and paying tellers.
Loss of Pass Book
Fill the declaration form
Verify the customer against signature on specimen signature card
Open a new saving account
Transfer the outstanding balance of old account to the newly opened one
Show trainees application form of CBE and other foreign bank’s
4.2 Making Adjustments to the Savings Goal
Adjustments to the Savings Goal are made where it is realized that the goal is unattainable
18
Critical aspects of Competence
Assessment requires evidence that the candidate:
19
Develop and Use a Personal Budget
1.1 Analyzing and Discussing the Role of Budgeting in the Lives of Different Groups and
the Importance of Budgeting Appropriately to Meet Expense and relating to Different
Stages of Life
families
governments
individuals:
single
married
elderly
students
tourists, travelers.
Different stages of life may include:
Budgeting is the most basic and the most effective tool for managing your money. Yet, most
people avoid doing it because it is additional work, much like cutting your lawn or fixing the
roof. Budgeting also connotes that you have to give up and stop yourself from enjoying stuff.
What budgeting actually does is clearly show you how you allocate your money and present you
the choices on what stuff to enjoy – based on your financial limitations. It will save you the grief
20
of overspending and being too much in debt. Budgeting does not stop you from enjoying stuff, it
ensures that you enjoy stuff when you want it.
Although budgeting is indeed more work, it pays off with many life-enhancing benefits:
Benefits of Budgeting
1. Gives you control over your money – A budget is a way of being intentional about the way
you spend and save your money. It is said that with budgeting, you control your money and not
your money controls you. Budgeting saves you the stress of suddenly having to adjust to lack of
funds because you did not initially plan how to spend them. It also helps you decide if you want
to sacrifice short term spending like buying coffee everyday in exchange for a long term benefit
like a cruise vacation
2. Keeps you focused on your money goals – You avoid spending unnecessarily on items and
services that do not contribute to attaining your financial goals. If you are working with limited
resources, budgeting makes it easier to make ends meet.
3. Makes you aware what is going on with your money – With budgeting, you are clear on
what money is coming in, how fast it goes out, and where it is going to. Budgeting saves you
from wondering every end of the month where your money went. A budget enables you to know
what you can afford, take advantage of buying and investing opportunities, and plan how to
lower your debt. It also tells you what is important to you based on how you allocate your funds,
how your money is working for you, and how far you are towards reaching your financial goals.
4 Helps you organize your spending and savings – By dividing your money into categories of
expenditures and savings, a budget makes you aware which category of expenditure takes which
portion of your money. That way, it is easy for you to make adjustments. Budget also serves as
a reference for organizing your bills, receipts, and financial statements. When all of your
financial transactions are organized for tax time or creditor questions, you save time and effort.
21
5. Makes you decide in advance how your money will work for you.
6. Enables you to save for expected and unexpected costs – Budgeting allows you to plan to
set aside money for emergency costs.
7 Enables you to communicate with your significant others about money – If you share your
money with your spouse, family, or anyone, a budget can communicate how you use money as a
group. This promotes teamwork on working for common financial goals and prevents conflict
on how money is used. Creating a budget in tandem with your spouse will avoid conflicts and
resolve personal differences on how your money is spent. Budgeting teaches family members
spending responsibility and accountability.
8. Provides you with an early warning for potential problems – When you budget and take a
“big picture” view, you will see potential money problems in advance, and be able to make
adjustments before the problem appears.
9. Helps you determine if you can take debt and how much – Taking debt is not necessarily a
bad thing if the debt is necessary or you can afford it. Budgeting shows you how much a debt
load you can realistically take without being stressed or if taking the debt load is worth it.
10. Enables you to produce extra money – In budgeting, you get to identify and eliminate
unnecessary spending like late fees, penalties and interests. These seemingly small saving can
add up over time.
accumulating a set amount of money by a specified date in the future for the purposes of:
purchasing assets
financing holidays, educational expenses, home renovations and other known future
expenses
establishing a deposit for an investment such as a home or investment property
22
aiming to repay existing debts and be debt free
establishing a regular savings plan
handling income and expenditure responsibly and avoiding financial difficulties.
1.3 Analyzing and Discussing Obstacles that Might Prevent Financial Goals and
Exploring Type of Behaviors and Skills Required for Successful Budgeting
Obstacles that might prevent financial goals being achieved may include:
losing a job
falling ill
not being able to work.
Behaviours and skills required for successful budgeting may include:
controlled spending
disciplined approach to money
organisational skills
record keeping skills.
a calculation of all projected income and expenditure for period of time (e.g. on a weekly or
monthly basis)
showing all projections versus actual income and expenses for the period and monitoring
variances.
2.1 Recording All income and Expenses for a Six Month Period to Assist in Estimating
Expenditure Requirements
23
2.2 Developing and Establishing a Spreadsheet for Recording All Budget Information to
Record Income and Expenditure for a Relevant Period of Time
A spreadsheet may:
have a section to record the difference between income and expenses for the period,
this being the surplus or deficit financial situation for the period.
2.3 Identifying All Sources of Income and Regular Fixed Expenses and Variable
Expenses for the Specified Period and Listing in a Personal Budget Using the Budget
Spreadsheet
Sources of income may include
fees:
insurance
loan repayments (if loan is based upon fixed interest rates) such as:
personal loans
car loans
credit card debts
24
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
public transport
rent
subscriptions to:
magazines
newspapers
clubs
travel including public transport, petrol
Variable expenses may include:
car maintenance
living expenses such as:
food
clothing
medical
gifts
recreation
entertainment
fines
mobile telephone
mortgage repayments
utilities such as:
water
gas
25
electricity
telephone.
2.4 Subtracting Total Expenses Recorded from the Total Income to Determine a Surplus
or Deficit Budget for the Specified Period
2.5 Exploring Reasons for a Deficit Budget are Explored and Investigating ways to
Reduce Expenses or Increase Income
Ways to reduce expenses may include:
2.6 Exploring Allocation of Surplus Funds Towards Saving and Meeting identified
Financial Goals
1. Gather every financial statement you can. This includes bank statements, investment
accounts, recent utility bills and any information regarding a source of income or
expense. The key for this process is to create a monthly average so the more information
you can dig up the better.
26
2. Record all of your sources of income. If you are self-employed or have any outside
sources of income be sure to record these as well. If your income is in the form of a
regular paycheck where taxes are automatically deducted then using the net income, or
take home pay, amount is fine. Record this total income as a monthly amount.
3. Create a list of monthly expenses. Write down a list of all the expected expenses you
plan on incurring over the course of a month. This includes a mortgage payment, car
payments, auto insurance, groceries, utilities, entertainment, dry cleaning, auto insurance,
retirement or college savings and essentially everything you spend money on.
4. Break expenses into two categories: fixed and variable. Fixed expenses are those that
stay relatively the same each month and are required parts of your way of living. They
included expenses such as your mortgage or rent, car payments, cable and/or internet
service, trash pickup, credit card payments and so on. These expenses for the most part
are essential yet not likely to change in the budget.
Variable expenses are the type that will change from month to month and include items
such as groceries, gasoline, entertainment, eating out and gifts to name a few. This
category will be important when making adjustments.
5. Total your monthly income and monthly expenses. If your end result shows more
income than expenses you are off to a good start. This means you can prioritize this
excess to areas of your budget such as retirement savings or paying more on credit cards
to eliminate that debt faster. If you are showing a higher expense column than income it
means some changes will have to be made.
6. Make adjustments to expenses. If you have accurately identified and listed all of your
expenses the ultimate goal would be to have your income and expense columns to be
equal. This means all of your income is accounted for and budgeted for a specific
expense.
If you are in a situation where expenses are higher than income you should look at your
variable expenses to find areas to cut. Since these expenses are typically essential it
should be easy to shave a few dollars in a few areas to bring you closer to your income.
27
7. Review your budget monthly. It is important to review your budget on a regular basis to
make sure you are staying on track. After the first month take a minute to sit down and
compare the actual expenses versus what you had created in the budget. This will show
you where you did well and where you may need to improve.
- Servant Wage
- Home maintenance/repairs
- Property taxes
- Car payment
- Fuel
- Renewal of licence
Utilities - Electric bill
- Water bill
- Gas bill
28
- Internet service
Food - Groceries
- Dining out
- Clothing
- Medical expenses
- College/ university fee
- Cost sharing
- Gym membership
- Vacation
- Charitable giving
Activities/others - Entertainment
- Gifts
- Family deduction
- Others
29
Sample Low Income Budget
Br. 40
Insurance
Br. 205
Gas
Br. 80
Maintenance
Br. 50
Utilities Br. 30
Cable/internet
Br. 60
Food
Br. 300
Dinning out Br. 350
Groceries Br. 50
Clothes Br. 30
Hair Care
30
Medical
Br. 50
Other
Br. 50
Gifts Br. 100
Entertainment Br. 50
1. Mortgage
Br. 100 Br. 1950
2. Maintenance
3. Property taxes Br. 50
31
1. Payment Br. 75
2. Insurance
Br. 150
3. Gas
4. Maintenance Br. 100
4. Cable/internet
Br. 120
Food
Br. 600
1. Dinning out Br. 950
2. Groceries Br. 350
Personal
Br. 200
1. Clothes
Br. 150 Br. 450
2. Grooming
3. Medical Br. 100
4. Charity
Br. 500
Exercise 01
Exercise 02
Exercise 03
33
Housing Budget Actual Difference
0.00 0.00
Rent or Mortgage Payment Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Utilities Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Home Insurance & Taxes Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Home Repairs (to set aside) Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Other Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Total Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
Differenc
Food Budget Actual
e
0.00 0.00
Groceries Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Eating Out Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Coffee & Bar Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Other Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Total Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
34
Education Budget Actual Difference
0.00 0.00
Tuition Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Books & Fees Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Supplies Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Other Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
0.00 0.00
Total Br. 0.00
Br. Br.
Exercise 04
Sample
Sample on spread sheet
Exercise 05 ( Again by trainees)
Exercise 06
Exercise 07
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Tip to cut expense
1. Cut out coupons for the things you usually buy at the store, and not for the things
you do not need.
2. Double up on coupons. You could use a store coupon and manufacturers coupon
together.
3. Write a grocery list, so you do not forget anything and it helps you stay on target
and not get sidetracked.
4. Buy non-name brand items or store brand items. These items are usually the same
quality as top brand names. You can save an average on thirty percent.
5. When on the highway use cruise control. You save fourteen percent on gas with an
average saving of seven percent. This would come out to about twenty cents discount on
each gallon.
6. Limit the amount of driving. You could carpool or catch a bus.
7. Combine trips, you could do several short trips in one longer trip. For example,
designate Thursday for errand day. Get everything done that day, than you will not have
to make wasted trips continuously throughout the week.
8. Stop wasting your money on lottery tickets. Lottery is just a tax on the poor and on
people who cannot do math. If everyone decided to save their two birr ( sometimes a lot
more than this amount is spent) every week, they would be saving one hundred and four
birr per year and one thousand and forty over ten years.
9. Do not dine out. A family of four eating at a fast food restaurant would cost somewhere
around twenty-five birr. If you take two trips per week, it would total to fifty birr. Over
the course of the year, you would spend about two thousand six hundred birr. If you were
to dine out at let’s say “Tibs” it would cost you around forty birr, overall the course of the
year it would be four thousand birr. Instead, prepare meals at home to save money.
10. Don’t buy alcohol. You could save twenty percent on your bill.
11. Use coupons. Many restaurants offer coupons.
12. Know about breaks for kids. Kids eat free on some nights at certain restaurants. Check
with the restaurant before traveling, to ensure this is part of their policy.
13. Order takeout. You can drink pop at home and you don’t have to leave a tip.
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14. Instead of entrees, buy appetizers. Meals have become so super-sized that one meal can
feed at least two or three people.
15. Turn off the lights when you are not in the room. Being conservative with the
thermostat and air-drying clothes and dishes. Instead of regular lights, put in compact
florescent bulbs.
16. Keep your car well maintained. A well-tuned engine burns less gas. Get all the junk out
of the trunk. For every two hundred and fifty pounds your engine hauls, the car loses
about one mile per gallon.
17. Pay with cash. Sometimes the store may charge you more money, if you use a credit
card. Check the specific store before your visit, to ensure whether they charge or not is
true.
18. Buy a fuel-efficient car.
19. Water
20. Install aerating, low- flow faucets and shower heads.
21. Take a shower, instead of taking a bath. It uses less water, and thereby decreases the
amount of water that is used. And since water runs through a pump(that is powered by
electric), this will increase your electric bill.
Sometimes it will be necessary to revise your budget because of unforeseen events. You may
lose your job, take a pay cut, or have an emergency where you need to spend more money that
you usually would for a given month. When this happens you will need to revise your budget to
meet your new income, even if it is just for a short period of time.
Discussion
1. Fout how much you have for income for the given month
2. Subtrac
Critical aspects of Competence
This unit specifies the outcomes required to establish a business operation from a planned
concept. It includes researching the feasibility of establishing a business operation, planning the
setting up of the business, implementing the plan and reviewing operations once commenced.
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finance required
lifestyle issues
Opportunities are positive or favourable factors in the environment which the entrepreneur
should make use of or which make his project idea potentially viable.
They are, however, mostly beyond the control of the entrepreneur. They are different from
strengths in the sense that strengths are positive internal factors of the business.
opportunities available
market competition
timing/ cyclical considerations
skills available
resources available
location and/ or premises available
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risk related to a particular business opportunity, especially
in regard to Occupational Health and Safety and
environmental considerations
5. Within the market area, to whom will the business sell its products?
11. What marketing strategy is needed to ensure that sales forecasts are achieved?
I – Planning Stage
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A – Questionnaire Elaboration
3. Sample definition
5. Question contents
6. Question configuration (open questions, close questions, speech fitness for target
group)
7. Question sequence
8. Trial research
9. Final elaboration
Suggestions:
· It is important to avoid questions which shall lead the responding person's answer, or those
which are less likely to be negatively answered;
· You should select only those questions which are really important to reach research objectives;
· It is advisable to place more delicate questions in the final part of the questionnaire;
· You should use colloquial and clear speech, proper for the target group;
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· Place some initial questions to establish contact with the person you interview (“break the
ice”);
Field researchers should be allocated, and work should be distributed according to:
- functions;
- geographic criteria;
- contents.
1. Introduction
B – Research Execution
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· Try to adapt the speech to the target group
distribution/selling
Content analysis
Balance between cost of information and its additional value for decision
making
TECHNIQUES
1. Secondary Information
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1.3. Check: representativity of document, reliability of document
1.4. Data type: data on education, lifestyle, economic and professional data etc.
2. Content Analysis
3. Observation
4.1. This technique allows a more accurate contact with behaviours, opinions and
perceptions
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d) there is empathy between interviewer and interviewee
b) stimulate answers
5. Questionnaires:
Households Self-administrated
Telephone Panel
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- use clear, simple and adequate language;
Show a prototype of the product, or describe the selected product, to the possible persons
responding to this survey and note down their answers to the following questions:
1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
(a) 15 to 20 (d) 41 to 50
(c) 31 to 40
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1.2. Sex:
(d) College
1.5. Residence:
2. MARKET INFORMATION
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(c) At a friend's house (d) Others, specify:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2.3. Do you own a similar product?
________________________________________________________________
3. PRODUCT INFORMATION
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(a) Larger (c) Specify:
3.3 What changes would you like incorporated in the product design?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
4. COMPETITORS’ INFORMATION
(a) None
(b) 1 to 2
(c) 3 to 4
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4.2 Competitors and Addresses:
_______________________ ______________________
_______________________ ______________________
_______________________ ______________________
_______________________ ______________________
Other Information:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________ _____________
(Name of Interviewer) Date
Note: This is only a sample questionnaire. The trainees are encouraged to design their own
questionnaires that suit their specific products and target markets.
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Dadimos Technology College Institute of Distance Education Accounting Level II Module
Will continued in Level III
1.4 Seeking Assistance With Feasibility Study of Specialist and Relevant Parties
Chamber of commerce
Financial planners and financial institution representatives, business planning
specialists and marketing specialists
accountants
lawyers and providers of legal advice
government agencies
industry/trade associations
online gateways
business brokers/business consultants
2.1 Identifying and Taking into Account Financial and Business Skills Available when
Researching Business Opportunities
2.2 Assessing and Matching Personal skills/attributes Against those Perceived as
Necessary for a Particular Business Opportunity
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entrepreneurship
willingness to take risks
2.3 Identifying and Assessing Business risks According to Resources Available and
Personal Preferences
Business risks may be affected by and may include but are not restricted to:
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consultancy
staff
vehicles
staff
money
time
equipment
space
office location staffed with required personnel and equipped to service and
support business
home-based site or other location such as leased or owned property
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partnership agreements, constitution documents, statutory books for
companies (Register of Members, Register of Directors and Minute Books),
Certificate of Incorporation, Franchise Agreements and financial
documentation, appropriate software for financial records
recordkeeping including personnel, financial, taxation, OHS and
environmental
4.6 Contractual procurement rights for goods and services including contracts with
relevant people, negotiated and secured as required in accordance with the business
plan