Budgeting and Saving - Online Course

This series is designed to teach money management and investing skills to help the average consumer get the greatest return for his or her money. The series is for users who wish to learn how to control debt, choose credit and banking accounts wisely, and create a solid plan for retirement.

This series is for anyone who wants to better manage his or her personal finances. This online course contains 7 lessons and should take approximately 21 hours to complete.

Lesson 1: Confronting Debt (3.0) hours

Confronting Debt teaches you how to assess his/her financial situation by listing debts and liabilities, create a budget, explain how credit bureaus establish credit ratings, and maintain a good credit rating. This course provides a guide to assessing personal debt, formulating a budget, and maintaining a good credit rating. Topics include Assessing Your Debt, Creating a Budget, Understanding Your Credit Rating, and Maintaining Good Credit.

Lesson 2: Eliminating Debt (3.0) hours

Eliminating Debt teaches you how to choose the best credit card for his/her needs, avoid paying unnecessary fees and service charges, minimize revolving debt, and rebuild damaged credit. This course provides a guide to eliminating personal debt and rebuilding damaged credit. Topics include Understanding Credit Cards, Developing Smarter Credit Habits, Getting Out from Under Debt, and Rebuilding Damaged Credit.

Lesson 3: Banking Basics (3.0) hours

Banking Basics teaches you how to avoid paying bank transaction fees and service charges, explain how interest rates work, negotiate better rates on accounts and loans, and compare banking options such as credit unions and other banks. This course explains basic principles of consumer banking. Topics include Avoiding Fees and Service Charges, Understanding Rates, Finding Better Rates, and Considering Banking Options.

Lesson 4: Choosing Bank Accounts (3.0) hours

Choosing Bank Accounts teaches you how to choose the best checking account, choose the best savings account and/or CD, and explain the advantages of online banking. This course explains how to choose checking accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit, and provides an introduction to online banking. Topics include Understanding Checking Accounts, Choosing a Checking Account, Choosing Savings Accounts and CDs, and Banking Online.

Lesson 5: Planning Your Retirement (3.0) hours

Planning Your Retirement teaches you how to explain investment terminology, plan a personal investment strategy, and compare and choose among investment options such as stocks, bonds, and CDs. This course provides an introduction to long-term investment strategy. Topics include Becoming an Informed Investor, Planning Your Investments, Planning for Retirement, and Cashing In at Retirement.

Lesson 6: Making 401(k) Plans Work (3.0) hours

Making 401(k) Plans Work teaches you how to explain the benefits of investing in a 401(k) plan, compare the 401(k) plan with other employer-provided investment options, enroll in a 401(k) plan, and allocate 401(k) funds to maximize return and minimize risk. This course explains how to take advantage of 401(k) saving plans. Topics include Understanding 401(k) Plans, Maximizing Your 401(k) Benefits, Investing Online, and Saving Over the Long Haul.

Lesson 7: Exploring Investment Options (3.0) hours

Exploring Investment Options teaches you how to describe in basic terms how the stock market works, pick stocks based on personal investment needs, compare the advantages of stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and explain government investment options. This course provides a guide to investing in stocks and explains other investment options including bonds, mutual funds, and government investments. Topics include Investing in Stocks, Investing in Bonds and Mutual Funds, and Investing with the Government.