About
Stepping Stones Financial was started by two friends in Cleveland who saw their own families and neighbors working through the U.S. financial system with no one to explain it.
Why we made it
Many people we know work hard and are careful with money, and still were never told how a credit score is calculated, how to file taxes, or what a 401(k) does. The information exists, but it is spread across bank websites and government forms and written for people who already understand it.
So we made one free course that starts from zero and explains each step in plain language: 26 short videos, a worksheet for each, and a glossary of every term they use.
How it works
Watch a lesson, then fill in its worksheet to apply it to your own situation. When a word is unfamiliar, look it up in the glossary, which has 600+ definitions. Everything is self-paced and needs no account.
What we do not do
The course is free and will stay free. There is no paid version, nothing to buy, and no commissions. We are not connected to any bank, lender or investment company, and no one has paid to be mentioned. Nothing here is financial advice; it is general education to help you ask better questions of the people who do give advice.
Founders
Common questions
- Who is this for?
- Anyone who wants to understand how money works in the United States, especially people who are not sure where to start. No background is needed.
- Is it only for immigrants?
- No. It was built with families new to the U.S. financial system in mind, but anyone can use it.
- Do I need to give personal information?
- No. You can watch every lesson and download every worksheet without an account, a name or an email address.
- Do you sell financial products?
- No. We do not sell anything, promote companies or earn commissions.
- Is this connected to a bank or an app?
- No. Stepping Stones Financial is independent and has no relationship with any financial institution, company or investment platform.