Syllabus
Practical money skills for students, beginners and newcomers to the U.S. financial system, in the order the course teaches them.
By the end of the course you will be able to
- Set up and manage checking and savings accounts
- Build and keep a realistic budget
- Understand credit, loans and responsible borrowing
- Recognize and avoid debt traps
- Understand taxes and how to file
- Protect yourself from fraud and identity theft
- Understand insurance and what it protects
- Start investing with a diversified portfolio
- Read a paycheck and use employee benefits
- Set up a personal financial system
How the course is organized
- Introduction1 lessonWhat the course covers, how the three modules connect, and how to use the worksheets and glossary alongside the videos.
- Financial HardwareModule 1, 8 lessonsBanks and credit unions, checking and savings accounts, emergency funds, reading a pay stub, budgeting, tracking subscriptions, and avoiding bank fees.
- Rules of the GameModule 2, 8 lessonsHow credit and credit scores work, building credit safely, loans and paying off debt, payday loans and other debt traps, taxes, insurance, and protecting yourself from fraud.
- Growth EngineModule 3, 8 lessonsInvesting, index funds, retirement accounts like the 401(k) and Roth IRA, employer benefits, and putting it all together into a plan for the next 12 months.
- Conclusion1 lessonHow the three modules fit together, from getting stable to growing what you have, and what to do after the course.