Business final

Brand Comparison: The evaluation of different brands based on various factors such as quality, price, reputation, and customer service to make informed purchasing decisions.

Business cycle: The fluctuation in economic activity that an economy experiences over time, characterized by periods of expansion and contraction.

Budget planning: The process of creating a plan for spending and saving that helps manage financial resources effectively.

Capital loss: The loss incurred when an investment is sold for less than its purchase price, potentially offsetting capital gains for tax purposes.

Characteristics of a good budget: A well-structured budget should be realistic, flexible, achievable, and comprehensive, incorporating all sources of income and expenses.

Common reasons why new businesses fail: Key factors contributing to failure include lack of market research, insufficient capital, poor management, and strong competition.

Cooperative business: An organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit, often focusing on providing goods or services to its members.

Copyright: A legal right that grants the creator of original works exclusive control over their use and distribution, protecting intellectual property.

Corporate stock: Shares of ownership in a corporation, representing a claim on part of the company’s assets and earnings.

Credit card convenience users: Individuals who use credit cards primarily for the convenience of transactions and pay off their balances in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Credit use drawbacks: Potential downsides of using credit include accumulating debt, interest costs, and the risk of negatively impacting credit scores

Demand deposit: A bank account from which funds can be withdrawn at any time without any advance notice, commonly known as a checking account.

Effective financial plan: A comprehensive strategy to manage financial resources, including budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for future needs

Fastest growing job markets: Sectors of the economy experiencing the highest growth rates in employment opportunities, often driven by technology, healthcare, or renewable energy.

Federal Reserve System: The central banking system of the United States, responsible for regulating monetary policy, supervising and regulating banks, and maintaining financial stability.

Fee-offset planners: Financial planners who charge fees for their services, but also invest client money in affiliated products that generate revenue to offset those fees.

Finance charge: The cost of borrowing money, typically expressed as a dollar amount or as an annual percentage rate (APR) on outstanding credit.

Financial Plans: Strategic outlines that detail an individual or organization's financial goals and the steps needed to achieve them, including saving, investment, and expenditure strategies.

Functions of money: Money serves several key purposes, including a medium of exchange, a unit of account, a store of value, and a standard of deferred payment.

How to predict how well the economy is doing?: Economic indicators such as GDP growth, unemployment rates, inflation rates, and consumer spending can provide insights into economic performance.

Inflation: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power over time.

Informational interview: A meeting in which an individual seeks advice and insights about a career or field from someone experienced in that area, often used for networking and career exploration.

Intern: A student or recent graduate undergoing practical training in a professional setting to gain experience and enhance their employability.

Legal Aid Society: An organization that provides legal services and support to individuals who cannot afford them, typically focusing on civil legal issues.

Leisure time: Free time that individuals can spend away from obligations, work, or studies, often used for relaxation or recreational activities.

Limited Liability Company (LLC): A flexible business structure that combines the benefits of corporation and partnership by protecting its owners' personal assets from liability.

Limited Life Partnership: A partnership formed for a specific purpose or duration, wherein the partnership automatically dissolves upon the completion of its objective or upon the death of a partner.

Management of a checking account: Involves monitoring deposits, withdrawals, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring sufficient funds to avoid overdrafts.

Market forces: Factors that influence the prices and behaviors of goods and services in the marketplace, including supply and demand, consumer preferences, and competition.

Mentor: An experienced and trusted advisor who provides guidance, support, and knowledge to a less experienced individual in a specific field or profession.

Property tax: A tax raised by the government on real estate properties, usually based on the property’s assessed value.

Reserve capital: Funds set aside by a business or individual for unexpected expenses or future needs, acting as a financial cushion.

Secured loan: A type of loan that is backed by collateral, reducing the lender's risk in the event of default, typically involving lower interest rates than unsecured loans.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): A U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing federal securities laws, regulating the securities industry, and protecting investors.

Services: Intangible goods provided to consumers or businesses that fulfill a need, such as consulting, education, or healthcare.

Specialization: The process by which individuals or businesses focus on a limited scope of products or services to gain efficiency and expertise

Speculative investment: Investments made with the hope of significant returns, often involving higher risk, such as stocks or cryptocurrencies.

Steps in balancing a checkbook: The process involves recording transactions, checking against bank statements, adjusting for errors, and ensuring that the checkbook balance matches the bank statement balance.

Stockholders: Individuals or entities that own shares in a corporation and have a claim to a part of the company's profits, often through dividends.

Tax credit: A direct reduction in the amount of tax owed to the government, which can arise from various credits available to taxpayers.

Tax credits: Additional deductions available to eligible taxpayers that lower their overall tax obligation, often aimed at incentivizing specific behaviors or helping lower-income households.

Tax-exempt benefits include: Financial perks that are not subject to taxation, such as certain retirement plan contributions, health benefits, and educational assistance.

annual percentage yield- the amount of interest that a $100 deposit could earn, after, compounding, for one year

cafeteria-style employee benefits- programs that allow workers to choose the benefits that best meet their personal needs.

career- a commitment to work in a field that you find interesting and fulfilling 

certificate of deposit- a savings alternative in which money is left on deposit for a specific period of time to earn a specific rate of return 

chart of accounts- lists all of the general ledger accounts that a business will used

commercial bank- for profit institution that offers a full range of financial services, including checking, savings, and lending: these banks serve individuals and businesses

compounding- the process in which interest is earned on both the principal and the original amount you deposited and on any previously earned interest.

cooperative education- programs that allow students to enhance classroom learning with part time work related to their majors or interests. 

credit union- a non profit financial institution that accepts deposits, make loans, and provides a wide array of other financial services and products

debit card- a cash card that allows you to withdraw money or pay for purchases from your checking or savings account. 

demographic trends- tendencies of people grouped by age, gender, ethnicity, education, or income that changes over time. 

direct deposit- automatic deposit of net pay to an employees designated bank account 

endorsement- signature of a payee

financial forecasting- the process of using past financial data and current market trends to make educated assumptions for future periods.

fixed expenses- a set amount of money spent every time you purchase 

interest inventories- tools that help people identify their interests and match them with potential careers, educational programs, and leisure activities

money market account- type of deposit account offered by banks and credit unions that typically earns a higher interest rate than a regular savings account. 

Networking- a way of making sure and using contacts to get job information and advice

operating capital- the cash used for daily operations in a company

pension plan- A retirement plan that is funded at least in part by an employer 

potential earning power- amount of money that can be earned over time 

projected balance sheet-  financial tool that predicts a company's future financial position

projected financial statements- financial models that predict a company's future financial performance.

projected statement of cash flows- a financial document that estimates the future cash inflows and outflows a business is expected to experience over a specific period

rate of return- the percentage of income in the value of your savings from earned interest.

reserve capital- money set aside for unexpected cost or opportunity 

résumé- a one or two page summary of your education, training, experience and qualifications. 

standard of living- measure of quality of life based on the amounts and kinds of goods and services a person can buy 

start-up capital- the money required to start a business 

variable expenses- costs that can change monthly