💵 Financial Literacy & Money Management *coming soon
- 1. 1.1 – What Is Money? Understanding Its Purpose 00:00:00
- 2. 1.2 – The History and Evolution of Money 00:00:00
- 3. 1.3 – Needs vs. Wants: Making the Distinction 00:00:00
- 4. 1.4 – How Money Flows in and Out of Daily Life 00:00:00
- 5. 1.5 – Earning Money: Wages, Jobs, and Allowances 00:00:00
- 6. 1.6 – Recognizing the Value of Time and Work 00:00:00
- 7. 1.7 – The Role of Money in Meeting Basic Needs 00:00:00
- 8. 1.8 – Understanding the Concept of Currency and Exchange 00:00:00
- 9. 1.9 – Identifying the Emotional Impact of Money 00:00:00
- 10. 1.10 – Defining Financial Goals for Short and Long-Term 00:00:00
- 11. 1.11 – How Choices Affect Financial Health 00:00:00
- 12. 1.12 – Consequences of Overspending 00:00:00
- 13. 1.13 – Introduction to Saving and Delayed Gratification 00:00:00
- 14. 1.14 – How Financial Decisions Impact Independence 00:00:00
- 15. 1.15 – Reflecting on Personal Money Beliefs and Habits 00:00:00
- 1. 2.1 – What Is a Budget and Why Does It Matter? 00:00:00
- 2. 2.2 – The 50/30/20 Rule for Managing Income 00:00:00
- 3. 2.3 – Identifying Monthly Income and Expenses 00:00:00
- 4. 2.4 – Tracking Spending Habits 00:00:00
- 5. 2.5 – Categorizing Needs, Wants, and Savings 00:00:00
- 6. 2.6 – Creating a Simple Monthly Budget 00:00:00
- 7. 2.7 – Learning to Adjust Budgets During Change 00:00:00
- 8. 2.8 – Setting Savings Goals within Your Budget 00:00:00
- 9. 2.9 – How to Stick to a Budget Without Feeling Restricted 00:00:00
- 10. 2.10 – Common Budgeting Mistakes to Avoid 00:00:00
- 11. 2.11 – Tools and Apps for Budgeting Support 00:00:00
- 12. 2.12 – Revisiting and Updating Your Budget Regularly 00:00:00
- 13. 2.13 – Planning for Seasonal or Irregular Expenses 00:00:00
- 14. 2.14 – How Budgeting Reduces Stress and Builds Control 00:00:00
- 15. 2.15 – Practicing Budgeting with Real-Life Scenarios 00:00:00
- 1. 3.1 – What Is a Bank and What Does It Do? 00:00:00
- 2. 3.2 – Differences Between Checking and Savings Accounts 00:00:00
- 3. 3.3 – How to Open and Manage a Bank Account 00:00:00
- 4. 3.4 – Understanding Debit Cards and Bank Fees 00:00:00
- 5. 3.5 – Learning to Use ATMs Safely and Wisely 00:00:00
- 6. 3.6 – Online Banking Basics and How to Stay Safe 00:00:00
- 7. 3.7 – Reading and Understanding Bank Statements 00:00:00
- 8. 3.8 – Setting Up Direct Deposit and Auto-Pay 00:00:00
- 9. 3.9 – Managing Cash Flow Between Accounts 00:00:00
- 10. 3.10 – Identifying and Avoiding Overdraft Fees 00:00:00
- 11. 3.11 – Mobile Banking and Financial Apps 00:00:00
- 12. 3.12 – FDIC Insurance and Why It Matters 00:00:00
- 13. 3.13 – How to Choose the Right Bank for You 00:00:00
- 14. 3.14 – Recognizing Banking Scams and Fraud 00:00:00
- 15. 3.15 – Practicing Real-World Banking Tasks 00:00:00
- 1. 4.1 – What Is Credit and Why Is It Important? 00:00:00
- 2. 4.2 – How Credit Cards Work: Basics and Benefits 00:00:00
- 3. 4.3 – Understanding Interest and Minimum Payments 00:00:00
- 4. 4.4 – When and Why to Use Credit 00:00:00
- 5. 4.5 – How to Read a Credit Card Statement 00:00:00
- 6. 4.6 – What Is Debt? Good Debt vs. Bad Debt 00:00:00
- 7. 4.7 – Warning Signs of Problem Debt 00:00:00
- 8. 4.8 – Strategies for Paying Off Debt 00:00:00
- 9. 4.9 – Understanding Your Rights as a Borrower 00:00:00
- 10. 4.10 – How Missed Payments Affect Your Credit 00:00:00
- 11. 4.11 – Exploring Debt Consolidation Options 00:00:00
- 12. 4.12 – Credit Utilization and Its Role in Credit Scores 00:00:00
- 13. 4.13 – Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices 00:00:00
- 14. 4.14 – Debt and Mental Health: Staying in Control 00:00:00
- 15. 4.15 – Creating a Plan to Use Credit Responsibly 00:00:00
- 1. 5.1 – What Is a Loan and Why Do People Use Them? 00:00:00
- 2. 5.2 – Types of Loans: Student, Personal, Auto, and More 00:00:00
- 3. 5.3 – The Role of Interest Rates in Loan Costs 00:00:00
- 4. 5.4 – Understanding APR and Compound Interest 00:00:00
- 5. 5.5 – How Loan Repayment Works Over Time 00:00:00
- 6. 5.6 – Reading a Loan Agreement: Key Terms 00:00:00
- 7. 5.7 – Creating a Repayment Plan Before Borrowing 00:00:00
- 8. 5.8 – Impact of Late Payments on Loans 00:00:00
- 9. 5.9 – Exploring Low-Interest and Government Loan Options 00:00:00
- 10. 5.10 – Loan Forgiveness and Hardship Programs 00:00:00
- 11. 5.11 – Navigating Student Loan Repayment Options 00:00:00
- 12. 5.12 – What Happens if You Default on a Loan 00:00:00
- 13. 5.13 – How to Refinance a Loan 00:00:00
- 14. 5.14 – Long-Term Impact of Loan Decisions 00:00:00
- 15. 5.15 – Real-Life Loan Scenarios and Decision-Making Practice 00:00:00
- 1. 6.1 – What Is a Credit Score and How Is It Calculated? 00:00:00
- 2. 6.2 – The Role of Credit Reports in Your Financial Life 00:00:00
- 3. 6.3 – How to Check and Monitor Your Credit Score 00:00:00
- 4. 6.4 – Understanding Credit Inquiries and Score Drops 00:00:00
- 5. 6.5 – Building Credit Without Going into Debt 00:00:00
- 6. 6.6 – Using Secured Credit Cards to Build Credit 00:00:00
- 7. 6.7 – The Impact of Payment History on Your Score 00:00:00
- 8. 6.8 – Keeping Credit Utilization Low 00:00:00
- 9. 6.9 – How Long It Takes to Build Good Credit 00:00:00
- 10. 6.10 – Credit Mistakes That Lower Your Score 00:00:00
- 11. 6.11 – How to Dispute Credit Report Errors 00:00:00
- 12. 6.12 – Identity Theft and Credit Protection 00:00:00
- 13. 6.13 – Using Credit Building Loans 00:00:00
- 14. 6.14 – Teaching Youth to Start Early with Good Credit Habits 00:00:00
- 15. 6.15 – Maintaining Good Credit During Financial Hardship 00:00:00
- 1. 7.1 – How Advertising Affects Your Spending Habits 00:00:00
- 2. 7.2 – Understanding the True Cost of Purchases 00:00:00
- 3. 7.3 – Avoiding Impulse Buying 00:00:00
- 4. 7.4 – Learning to Compare Prices and Shop Smart 00:00:00
- 5. 7.5 – Reading Labels and Contracts Before Buying 00:00:00
- 6. 7.6 – Evaluating Needs vs. Wants in the Moment 00:00:00
- 7. 7.7 – Strategies for Delayed Gratification 00:00:00
- 8. 7.8 – Practicing Frugal Living Without Sacrificing Quality 00:00:00
- 9. 7.9 – Identifying High-Risk Spending Triggers 00:00:00
- 10. 7.10 – Buying Used vs. New: Pros and Cons 00:00:00
- 11. 7.11 – Planning for Big Purchases with Research 00:00:00
- 12. 7.12 – Using Coupons and Loyalty Programs 00:00:00
- 13. 7.13 – Understanding Buy Now, Pay Later Services 00:00:00
- 14. 7.14 – Consumer Rights and Returning Items 00:00:00
- 15. 7.15 – Building a Smart Shopping Routine 00:00:00
- 1. 8.1 – What Is an Emergency Fund and Why It Matters 00:00:00
- 2. 8.2 – Identifying Unexpected Expenses 00:00:00
- 3. 8.3 – Starting an Emergency Fund with Limited Income 00:00:00
- 4. 8.4 – Prioritizing Emergencies Over Luxuries 00:00:00
- 5. 8.5 – Planning for Medical and Auto Emergencies 00:00:00
- 6. 8.6 – How to Adjust Your Budget for Emergencies 00:00:00
- 7. 8.7 – Protecting Your Housing and Utilities First 00:00:00
- 8. 8.8 – Accessing Emergency Financial Assistance 00:00:00
- 9. 8.9 – Strategies for Handling Financial Crisis 00:00:00
- 10. 8.10 – Keeping Emergency Cash or Prepaid Options 00:00:00
- 11. 8.11 – How to Use Insurance During Emergencies 00:00:00
- 12. 8.12 – Communicating with Creditors During Crisis 00:00:00
- 13. 8.13 – Building Emergency Plans with Family 00:00:00
- 14. 8.14 – Reviewing Emergency Plans Annually 00:00:00
- 15. 8.15 – Learning from Past Emergencies to Plan Better 00:00:00
- 1. 9.1 – What Is Investing and Why Should You Start? 00:00:00
- 2. 9.2 – Basic Types of Investments: Stocks, Bonds, Funds 00:00:00
- 3. 9.3 – Risk vs. Reward in Investing 00:00:00
- 4. 9.4 – Setting Long-Term Financial Goals 00:00:00
- 5. 9.5 – Understanding Compound Growth 00:00:00
- 6. 9.6 – What Is Retirement and How to Prepare 00:00:00
- 7. 9.7 – Starting Small with Micro-Investing 00:00:00
- 8. 9.8 – How to Open a Retirement Account (IRA, 401k) 00:00:00
- 9. 9.9 – Diversifying Your Investment Portfolio 00:00:00
- 10. 9.10 – Managing Investment Emotions 00:00:00
- 11. 9.11 – Protecting Investments from Scams 00:00:00
- 12. 9.12 – Time Horizon and Life Stages of Investing 00:00:00
- 13. 9.13 – Tracking Investment Progress 00:00:00
- 14. 9.14 – Talking to a Financial Advisor 00:00:00
- 15. 9.15 – Creating a Vision Board for Future Wealth 00:00:00
- 1. 10.1 – Understanding Your Money Personality 00:00:00
- 2. 10.2 – Developing Daily Money Habits 00:00:00
- 3. 10.3 – Choosing Tools for Managing Money 00:00:00
- 4. 10.4 – Building a Weekly Financial Routine 00:00:00
- 5. 10.5 – Setting Financial Boundaries with Others 00:00:00
- 6. 10.6 – Creating a Financial Calendar 00:00:00
- 7. 10.7 – Tracking Multiple Income Sources 00:00:00
- 8. 10.8 – Setting Up Automatic Transfers and Reminders 00:00:00
- 9. 10.9 – Organizing Financial Documents 00:00:00
- 10. 10.10 – Making Financial Decisions Independently 00:00:00
- 11. 10.11 – Staying Motivated with Rewards and Milestones 00:00:00
- 12. 10.12 – Teaching Others About Your System 00:00:00
- 13. 10.13 – Reviewing and Improving Your System Monthly 00:00:00
- 14. 10.14 – Using Your System to Prepare for Big Goals 00:00:00
- 15. 10.15 – Celebrating Financial Independence Milestones 00:00:00
Course overview
Lesson Overview
4.12 – Credit Utilization and Its Role in Credit Scores: Credit utilization is the percentage of your credit limit that you are using, and it plays a big role in your credit score. When you keep your balance low compared to your limit, lenders see that you use credit responsibly. Experts recommend staying below 30% of your limit to show good habits and avoid lowering your score. Using too much of your available credit can suggest financial stress, even if you pay on time. Paying down balances, spreading spending across months, and increasing limits carefully can improve utilization over time. Understanding this measure helps you make smart choices that strengthen your credit reputation.
About this course
Practical skills to manage money wisely, build financial stability, and make informed financial decisions.
This course includes:
- Budgeting templates and expense tracking tools
- Credit building and debt reduction guides
- Introductory investing and savings strategy resources