Courses

From setting goals to paying off loans, the basics of effective budget management.

• Setting Goals
  Setting financial goals offers the chance to step back from everyday pressures, allowing us to think about how we’d like to be rather than how we are.
• Debt and the Pressure to Spend
  It’s wonderful to have the freedom to buy so many products, but unless you’re rich, the key to happy spending is planned spending.
• Nudging Yourself Toward Your Goals
  No matter what your financial goal, it's important to have an accountability system in place.
• Introduction to Budgeting
  Why budgeting is important, no matter how much money you earn.
• Income and Expenses
  A big part of budgeting is identifying income and listing expenses.
• Making Sense of Your Budget
  After you've identified your income and tracked your spending, it's time to compare the numbers, gain perspective, set priorities, and make changes.
• Tracking Your Spending
  Tracking your money can be a powerful way to spot unplanned spending.
• How to Improve Cash Flow
  Cash flow is a key indicator of your financial health.
• Money Saving Ideas
  Looking for ideas for ways to save money? Almost everyone can find a way to save using at least one of these tips.

From choosing a make and model to financing a purchase, topics every consumer should understand when buying a car.

• Buying a Car Introduction
  An introduction to the basics of this major purchase and responsibility.
• Choosing a Make and Model
  A look at four important factors to consider when choosing a car: fuel consumption, insurance rates, reliability, and depreciation.
• The Total Cost of Ownership
  Understanding the many costs associated with owning a car - from financing to taxes.
• Buy or Lease?
  Understanding the pros and cons of vehicle leasing.
• Financing a Car Purchase
  How a loan affects the total cost of buying a car.
• Evaluating a Used Car
  How to "do your homework" before buying a used car.
• Setting a Target Price
  How to set a realistic target price for both new and used vehicles.
• Negotiating Price
  Know what to expect when negotiating the best deal.
• Avoiding Surprises
  Think the negotiating is finished when you agree on a price? Here's how to negotiate dealer extras and extended warranty pitches.
• Common Mistakes When Buying a Car
  Twelve common mistakes to keep in mind when shopping for a car.

An overview of the home-buying process, from saving for a down payment to closing the deal.

• Buying a Home Introduction
  Some pros and cons of buying a home, including a comparison with renting.
• Buying vs. Renting a Home
  Factors to consider when making an informed "buy" or "rent" decision.
• Planning for Your Home Purchase
  Before you buy a home, determine how much consumer debt is reasonable for you and what upfront costs you will have for your home purchase.
• Understanding Down Payments
  A large down payment isn't always needed to buy a home, but let's take a look at how down payments can affect your total mortgage costs.
• Understanding Mortgages
  The parts of a mortgage and common mortgage loan options.
• Should You Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?
  When you're pre-approved, you'll have a better idea of your costs and options.
• How Real Estate Agents Work
  A look at the role your agent will play in the home buying process.
• Assembling a Home Buying Team
  Having the right people on your side can help you make the best possible buying decisions.
• Making an Offer and Closing the Deal
  Crossing the finish line of the home buying process – submitting an offer, negotiating, and dealing with closing costs.

Learn the basics of managing money, including financial health, budgeting, managing credit, plus more.

• Financial Health
  The concept of financial health is the foundation of any financial plan.
• Introduction to Budgeting
  Why budgeting is important, no matter how much money you earn.
• Choosing a Bank or Credit Union
  Key factors to consider when choosing a financial services provider.
• Credit vs. Debit Cards
  Credit and debit cards each have pros and cons. When should you use each?
• Credit Reports and Scores
  Credit reports and scores determine the rates you pay when borrowing and can affect your ability to get certain jobs.
• Managing Accounts
  Account management strategies for checking and savings.
• Building Credit
  Understanding the decisions and behaviors that can lead to improved credit scores.
• Identity Theft
  Understanding ID theft and how to prevent it.
• Financial Goals Exercise
  A goal-setting exercise that includes weekly, monthly, yearly, and long-term goals.

What you need to know to start making a long-term financial plan, from getting married to planning for retirement.

• Medical Care Planning
  How to make sure your wishes are followed in a medical crisis.
• Financial Planning
  Learning the "how" and "why" of short-term and long-term financial planning.
• Estate Planning
  Wills, trusts, and other end of life issues.
• Creating a Will
  A will is the cornerstone of the legal framework of an estate plan, and everyone should have one.
• Powers of Attorney
  Everyone faces the possibility of temporary or permanent incapacitation. Make sure your wishes are followed.
• Talking About Money
  A look at some of the financial considerations of getting married.
• Planning for the Unexpected
  Planning for unexpected events, including accidents, death, and even the possibility of divorce, are all part of a responsible marriage.

What to do if you're in financial trouble, from creating a debt reduction plan to your rights when dealing with debt collectors.

• Spotting the Signs of Financial Trouble
  Many Americans find themselves in debt, but for some, debt turns into a serious problem with lasting consequences.
• Dealing with Financial Trouble
  If you ever find yourself experiencing financial trouble, there are steps you can take to get back on track and to minimize the damage to your credit.
• Debt Reduction Plans
  Whether you do it yourself or work with a credit counselor, creating a debt reduction plan is an important first step for those with financial trouble.
• Credit Counseling
  The role of credit counseling organizations and how a debt management plan works to restore credit over time.
• Choosing a Credit Counselor
  The best way to find a good credit counselor is to know what questions to ask.
• Credit Repair Scams
  There's a big difference between a non-profit credit counseling service and a credit repair scam. Learn how to tell the difference.
• Debt Collection
  Your rights and responsibilities when dealing with debt collectors.
• Debt Collection and Legal Actions
  What to expect if you are sued over debt.
• Understanding Bankruptcy
  The types of bankruptcy and why bankruptcy should be used only as a last resort.
• Alternative Financial Services
  Understanding why payday loans, check cashing services, and similar services may be bad deals for consumers.

A look at the financial challenges of raising a child.

• Introduction
  Having a baby is not just a family decision, it's a financial decision too.
• Babies and Budgets
  How to get your finances in shape before a baby arrives, including a budget review, paying down debt, making sure you're getting the best rate on any long-term debt, and creating an emergency fund.
• Paying for the Baby Years
  The non-childcare costs you can expect when having a baby, from cribs to health insurance.
• Managing Risks
  Life is filled with unexpected events. Learn how to ensure the financial security of your child in the worst case scenario.
• Children and Taxes
  A review of the tax benefits that can help you manage the expenses incurred with children.
• Childcare Choices
  An overview of different childcare choices and the financial implications of each.
• Growing Up - Childhood and Beyond
  A look at the additional costs of raising a child beyond the first few years including the indirect costs.

An overview of identity theft, including strategies for preventing it and what to do if it happens to you.

• Identity Theft
  Understanding ID theft and how to prevent it.
• Social Media and Identity Theft
  What you reveal online can compromise your personal and financial security.
• Medical Identity Theft
  Medical identity theft is a little-known form of identity theft with consequences affecting more than just your wallet.
• Avoiding Identity Theft
  The three Ds of identity protection: Deter, Detect and Defend.
• Protecting Your Digital Information
  There are many data backup solutions designed to protect personal information that vary in their security and ease of use.
• Dealing with Identity Theft
  Understanding the different types of identity theft and what to do in each scenario.

Credit reports and scores, credit vs. debit cards, reading your credit report, plus more.

• Credit vs. Debit Cards
  Credit and debit cards each have pros and cons. When should you use each?
• Credit Reports and Scores
  Credit reports and scores determine the rates you pay when borrowing and can affect your ability to get certain jobs.
• Risks and Benefits of Credit Cards
  Credit cards offer benefits for many consumers, but it's important to understand the risks of unsecured credit.
• Building Credit
  Understanding the decisions and behaviors that can lead to improved credit scores.
• Understanding the Credit Card Act of 2009
  How the new regulations work to protect card holders.
• Reading Your Credit Report
  A detailed description of what to expect and look for when viewing a credit report.

An introduction to student loan repayment choices and strategies. Visit the Library for in-depth coverage of repayment plan options.

• Making Smart Repayment Decisions
  Flexible federal student loan repayment plans can help you avoid financial trouble and reach your financial goals.
• Repayment Strategies
  To repay your student loans, you need a comprehensive strategy to put your education debt in a larger financial picture that includes your income, non-education debt, and long-term goals.
• How Repayment Plan Choices Affect Loan Cost
  Your repayment plan choice can greatly affect your monthly payment and the total cost of your student debt.
• Deferment and Forbearance Options
  Both deferment and forbearance can help you avoid financial trouble. If you think you might qualify, reach out to your loan servicer as soon as you first experience financial difficulty.
• Managing Loans in Times of Financial Distress
  You can’t always prevent financial stress, but how well you manage it will make all the difference in how successful you’ll be in meeting your repayment obligation.
• Grace and Deferment Period Strategies
  Federal education loans all offer a grace or deferment period – a set amount of time during which repayment is not required. How you manage loans during your grace period can make a big difference.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  If you work in certain fields or for certain employers, a portion of your Direct Student Loan debt may be eligible for forgiveness.
• Loan Consolidation
  Loan consolidation can simplify the loan repayment process, but you must review the loans you plan to consolidate carefully – once consolidated, there’s no going back.

The basics of financial aid, including the types of aid, applying for aid, borrower responsibilities, and repayment strategies.

• Financial Aid Introduction
  Whether you're considering higher education for yourself or starting to plan for the education of your kids, understanding the financial aid process is the first step to meeting your education goals.
• Types of Financial Aid
  The main types of financial aid are education loans, grants and scholarships, work-study, and service programs.
• Creating an Aid Strategy
  Considerations when planning to pay for school, including school choice, employment options, accounting strategies, and the importance of borrowing wisely.
• Understanding Financial Need
  Some aid is based on financial need and some is not. What exactly is "financial need?"
• Applying for Aid
  The aid application process, including descriptions of the FAFSA and Profile forms.
• Education Loans
  A description of the main types of student loans, including government loans, consolidation loans, and private loans.
• Choosing the Right Loan
  Questions every student should be able to answer before taking on a student loan.
• Selecting a Private Loan Lender
  When federal loans are not enough, private lenders such as banks, credit unions, and non-profit lenders can help to fill the gap.
• The Master Promissory Note
  An introduction to the agreement that specifies your rights and responsibilities when accepting a student loan.
• Repaying College Debt
  A look at common repayment plans, including how different plans affect your monthly payment and overall cost.
• Borrowing Wisely
  Making smart choices about student loans, including a description of the impact of loan capitalization.
• Independent Student Status
  Understanding your financial aid dependency status, including a discussion of what to do if the parents of dependent students refuse to help them pay for college.
• Dealing with Too Little Aid
  Why some students find themselves with too little aid and what can be done to make ends meet.

Why and how to invest, including how to save money now.

• Saving and Investing
  The difference between investing and saving, and how to tell what's the best option for your needs.
• Types of Investments
  The pros and cons of stocks, bonds, and cash. The concept of asset allocation is explained.
• Investment Accounts
  The types of accounts available to investors, including both taxable and tax advantaged accounts.
• Saving for Retirement
  Why save for retirement and the impact of fees on investment performance.
• Retirement Saving Strategies
  How to develop a comprehensive retirement savings strategy.
• Retirement Accounts
  An overview of the major retirement accounts, include Individual Retirement Accounts, Simplified Employee Pensions, and 401(k) plans.
• Retirement Savings Ideas
  A few simple things to keep in mind when starting a retirement savings plan.
• Individual Development Accounts
  Understanding the benefits of IDAs, how to qualify, and where to find a program.

Explore the process of starting a new business from estimating start up costs to hiring employees.

• Is Entrepreneurship For Me?
  Entrepreneurship is the act of starting and running a business, which brings both potential benefits and risks.
• Conducting Market Research for a New Business
  Market conditions play a crucial role in the success of a new business and involve factors such as consumer demand, competition, and economic growth.
• Business Start-Up Costs
  Starting a successful new business requires careful planning and budgeting of both one-time and ongoing costs.
• Writing a Business Plan
  Creating a business plan is a crucial step for starting a new business, whether it is a small home-based operation or a venture-backed tech company.
• Choosing a Business Name
  Choosing a business name is a critical step in starting a new company since it affects the company's brand identity, customer recognition, plus more.
• Choosing the Legal Structure for Your Business
  The legal structure of a new business is an important decision with both tax and legal implications, so it's important to choose wisely.
• Registering a New Business
  Starting a new business involves registering with state, federal and sometimes even local governments.
• How to Finance a New Business
  Finding capital for a new business can be challenging, but there are a number of options to consider.
• Business Cash Flow, Profit and Loss
  Understanding a business's financial cash flow and overall profit or loss is critical for ensuring its long-term success and financial stability.
• Establishing Business Credit
  Business credit is a record of a company's financial history used to evaluate its creditworthiness.
• Your Responsibilities as an Employer
  As an employer, there are several responsibilities you must be familiar with in order to avoid potential legal issues.
• Business Taxes
  Understanding and managing taxes are key to every business owner or self-employed individual.
• Buying an Existing Business or Franchise
  Buying an existing business or a franchise are two options for entrepreneurs looking to start a business quickly. Let’s explore the potential pros and cons of each option.

Understanding the common types of insurance, including auto, renters, health, plus more.

• Insurance
  Understanding how insurance plays an important role in our financial lives.
• Auto Insurance
  A review of the major types of auto insurance, factors influencing cost, and choosing a policy that's right for you.
• Life Insurance
  Who needs life insurance, types of policies, and how to determine coverage.
• Renter's Insurance
  Understanding the benefits (and potential pitfalls) of this type of inexpensive insurance.
• Health Insurance
  The various health insurance choices.
• Disability Insurance
  The benefits and costs of these often complex policies.

Key topics for those transitioning from school to the workplace.

• From College to the Workplace
  No matter what your financial outlook is after leaving school, the concept of financial health is an important step toward long-term financial success.
• Salary Expectations Versus Reality
  Most young people tend to overestimate their starting salaries.
• Earning a Paycheck
  A brief overview of common paycheck deductions and how to increase earning potential.
• Employer Benefits
  There are four main types of employee benefit programs: health insurance, retirement plans, tax-advantaged savings, and supplemental benefits such as life and vision care insurance.
• Making Decisions About Employee Benefits
  Employee benefits vary between employers, so it’s up to the employee to make the most of whatever benefits are offered.
• Day One of a New Job
  First impressions are important. New employees should take the time to prepare for the first day to ensure that they start off on the right foot.
• Time Management
  To be successful in today’s workplace, you need to know how to manage the limited amount of time you have to accomplish all of your tasks.
• The Concept of Professionalism
  Being a “professional” paves the way for both current and future success, no matter what career you choose. Professionalism requires you to draw upon a set of skills that may seem outside the specific skills required for your job.
• Networking in the Workplace
  Effective networking can lead to success in your career both now and in the future.