Finance 101
What do you call money set aside for unexpected expenses, usually 3–6 months of living costs?
Emergency Fund
If a stock’s price goes from $50 to $60, what percentage increase is that?
20%
True or False: Term life insurance builds cash value over time.
False — only permanent life insurance does.
What does IRA stand for?
Individual Retirement Account
True or False: Iowa leads the all-time Cy-Hawk football series.
True. GO HAWKS
True or False: Having no debt automatically means you have a high credit score.
False — you need credit history to build a score.
What does “ETF” stand for?
Exchange-traded fund
What type of account lets your money grow tax-free if you use it for qualified medical expenses?
Health Savings Account - HSA
At what age can most people start taking Social Security retirement benefits?
62
True or False: The rivalry game has always been played in September.
False — it was sometimes played in October or November before the modern schedule.
True or False: Inflation reduces the purchasing power of your money over time.
True
What’s the difference between a mutual fund and an individual stock?
A mutual fund pools money to buy many investments; a stock is ownership in one company
What type of insurance helps replace your income if you become unable to work?
Disability Insurance
What’s the penalty for withdrawing money early from most retirement accounts (before age 59½)?
10%
Who is Iowa State’s all-time winningest football coach?
Dan McCarney
What’s the term for when prices of everyday goods and services rise over time?
Inflation
What is the term for profit earned from selling an investment for more than you paid?
Capital gain
True or False: Life insurance through your employer stays with you even if you leave your job.
False — most group policies end when you leave employment.
What does “vesting” mean in a workplace retirement plan?
Earning the right to keep employer contributions over time.
Which quarterback led Iowa State to its 2011 triple-overtime win over Iowa?
Steele Jantz
True or False: A stock that has dropped 50% must rise 50% to get back to even.
False — it must rise 100% to recover
What does “liquidity” mean in investing?
How quickly something can be converted into cash
What’s an umbrella policy used for?
Extra liability protection beyond your auto/home limits.
What’s a rollover in retirement planning?
Moving money from one retirement account to another without paying taxes.
Which coach is the only one to have been on both Iowa and Iowa State staffs during the Cy-Hawk era?