# Personal Finance & Investing 101 — Course Outline

## Course Overview
A step‑by‑step, beginner‑friendly program that demystifies personal finance concepts and equips learners with practical tools to manage money, eliminate debt, build emergency savings, and start investing confidently. The course blends short video lessons, interactive worksheets, and quizzes to reinforce learning and drive actionable results.

## Who This Course Is For
- Recent graduates or early‑career professionals entering the workforce  
- Anyone who feels overwhelmed by financial jargon  
- Individuals with debt who want a clear roadmap to financial freedom  
- Beginners who want to start investing but don’t know where to begin  

## Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

1. Create a realistic monthly budget and track cash flow.  
2. Build and maintain an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses.  
3. Analyze and prioritize different types of debt for faster payoff.  
4. Understand core investment vehicles (stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds).  
5. Open and manage a brokerage account, execute their first trade, and monitor performance.  
6. Develop a personalized 5‑year financial plan aligned with short‑term goals and long‑term wealth creation.

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## Module 1: Foundations of Personal Finance
| Lesson | Description | Learning Objective | Format |
|--------|-------------|--------------------|--------|
| 1.1 Money Mindset & Goal Setting | Explore the psychology of money and set SMART financial goals. | Define three personal financial goals using the SMART framework. | Video + Worksheet |
| 1.2 Income & Expenses 101 | Break down net vs. gross income and categorize expenses. | Create a simple income‑expense statement for the past month. | Video + Spreadsheet Template |
| 1.3 Introduction to Budgeting | Learn the 50/30/20 rule and other budgeting methods. | Build a functional monthly budget using a chosen method. | Video + Interactive Budget Builder |
| 1.4 Financial Health Check | Conduct a quick audit of current financial standing. | Complete a personal finance health scorecard. | Quiz + Worksheet |

## Module 2: Cash Flow Management & Savings
| Lesson | Description | Learning Objective | Format |
|--------|-------------|--------------------|--------|
| 2.1 Tracking Every Dollar | Tools and apps for real‑time expense tracking. | Set up a tracking system and log expenses for one week. | Video + App Demo |
| 2.2 Cutting Costs Without Sacrifice | Practical strategies to reduce discretionary spending. | Identify three spend‑cutting actions that save at least 10% of monthly outflow. | Video + Worksheet |
| 2.3 Building an Emergency Fund | Why, how much, and where to keep it. | Calculate the exact amount needed for a 3‑month emergency fund. | Video + Calculator Sheet |
| 2.4 Automating Savings | Set up automatic transfers, round‑ups, and other “set‑and‑forget” tactics. | Implement at least one automated savings rule in their bank account. | Video + Step‑by‑Step Guide |

## Module 3: Debt Management
| Lesson | Description | Learning Objective | Format |
|--------|-------------|--------------------|--------|
| 3.1 Types of Debt Explained | Credit cards, student loans, mortgages, auto loans, etc. | Classify personal debts into “good” vs. “bad” categories. | Video + Quiz |
| 3.2 Interest & Amortization Basics | How interest works and why it matters. | Compute the total interest cost of a sample loan. | Video + Worksheet |
| 3.3 Pay‑off Strategies: Snowball vs. Avalanche | Compare methods and choose the right fit. | Design a personalized debt‑payoff schedule. | Video + Planner Template |
| 3.4 Negotiating & Consolidating | When and how to refinance or consolidate. | Draft a script for a debt‑reduction negotiation call. | Video + Role‑Play Worksheet |

## Module 4: Intro to Investing
| Lesson | Description | Learning Objective | Format |
|--------|-------------|--------------------|--------|
| 4.1 Why Invest? | The power of compounding and inflation protection. | Explain in their own words why investing is essential. | Video + Quiz |
| 4.2 Investment Vehicles Overview | Stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, REITs, crypto basics. | Match each vehicle to its risk/return profile. | Video + Interactive Chart |
| 4.3 Risk Tolerance & Asset Allocation | Assess personal risk appetite and build a balanced mix. | Complete a risk‑tolerance questionnaire and draft an allocation model. | Video + Assessment Tool |
| 4.4 Tax‑Advantaged Accounts | 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, and their rules. | Choose the most appropriate tax‑advantaged account for their situation. | Video + Decision Tree Worksheet |

## Module 5: Getting Started with a Brokerage
| Lesson | Description | Learning Objective | Format |
|--------|-------------|--------------------|--------|
| 5.1 Selecting a Broker | Fees, platforms, research tools, and customer service. | Compare three brokers and select one that fits their needs. | Video + Comparison Sheet |
| 5.2 Opening & Funding an Account | Step‑by‑step walkthrough of account setup. | Successfully open and fund a brokerage account (simulation if needed). | Video + Checklist |
| 5.3 Placing Your First Trade | Market vs. limit orders, buying fractional shares. | Execute a mock purchase of a diversified ETF. | Video + Simulated Trading Platform |
| 5.4 Monitoring & Rebalancing | Setting alerts, reviewing performance, periodic rebalancing. | Create a quarterly review calendar with key metrics to track. | Video + Calendar Template |

## Module 6: Building a 5‑Year Financial Plan
| Lesson | Description | Learning Objective | Format |
|--------|-------------|--------------------|--------|
| 6.1 Consolidating All Pieces | Integrate budgeting, debt payoff, savings, and investing. | Assemble a one‑page financial snapshot. | Video + Master Planner Worksheet |
| 6.2 Goal‑Based Investment Planning | Align investment choices with specific milestones (home, travel, retirement). | Map each goal to an investment vehicle and timeline. | Video + Goal‑Mapping Canvas |
| 6.3 Contingency & Insurance Basics | Life, health, disability, and property insurance essentials. | Identify any missing coverage and outline next steps. | Video + Checklist |
| 6.4 Staying on Track: Habits & Reviews | Habit formation, automation, and periodic check‑ins. | Commit to a 30‑day habit challenge to reinforce learning. | Video + Habit Tracker Sheet |
| 6.5 Course Wrap‑Up & Next Steps | Review key takeaways and resources for continued growth. | Create a personal action plan for the next 90 days. | Video + Action‑Plan Template |

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## How to Deliver This Course
1. **Learning Management System (LMS)** – Host on platforms such as Teachable, Kajabi, or Thinkific for seamless video streaming, downloadable resources, and quiz grading.  
2. **Content Format Mix**  
   - **Video Lessons** (8–12 min each) – High‑quality, captioned, with on‑screen graphics.  
   - **Worksheets & Templates** – Google Sheets/Docs or PDF files for hands‑on practice.  
   - **Interactive Quizzes** – 5‑question multiple choice after each module to reinforce retention.  
   **Optional Live Sessions** – Monthly Q&A webinars (Zoom) to boost engagement and address individual questions.  
3. **Progress Tracking** – Enable badge awards for milestones (e.g., “Budget Master”, “First Trade Completed”).  
4. **Community** – Private Facebook/Discord group for peer support, sharing wins, and accountability.  
5. **Assessment & Certification** – Final 20‑question assessment; score ≥80% earns a “Personal Finance & Investing 101” certificate of completion.  
6. **Marketing Funnel** – Offer a free “7‑Day Money Reset” email mini‑course as lead magnet; upsell to the full program with early‑bird pricing and a money‑back guarantee.  

*End of Outline.*