Catalog

Every lesson

92 lessons across 14 phases. The ⚙ lessons are the "how it actually works" mechanics.

#LessonPhaseStatus
1.1 What this course is (and isn't) How Money Works Available
1.2 Why money feels confusing — and why it's not your fault How Money Works Available
1.3 Needs, wants, and the cost of "later" How Money Works Available
1.4 Setting a money goal you'll actually hit How Money Works Available
1.5 The 5 money moves that matter most How Money Works Available
1.6 Your money snapshot: where am I right now? How Money Works Available
2.1 Gross vs. net: why your paycheck is smaller than your salary Your Paycheck & First Taxes Available
2.2 Reading a pay stub, line by line Your Paycheck & First Taxes Available
2.3 FICA, Social Security & Medicare — what's actually taken out Your Paycheck & First Taxes Available
2.4 The W-4: telling your employer how much tax to hold back Your Paycheck & First Taxes Available
2.5 W-2 vs. 1099 — which one are you? Your Paycheck & First Taxes Available
2.6 Your first tax return, demystified Your Paycheck & First Taxes Available
2.7 Why a big refund isn't the win it feels like Your Paycheck & First Taxes Available
3.1 Checking vs. savings — what each is for Banking Without Getting Robbed (by fees) Available
3.2 The account fees quietly draining you Banking Without Getting Robbed (by fees) Available
3.3 High-yield savings: same money, more of it Banking Without Getting Robbed (by fees) Available
3.4 Debit vs. credit — what's really happening Banking Without Getting Robbed (by fees) Available
3.5 Beating overdraft and the $35 coffee Banking Without Getting Robbed (by fees) Available
3.6 Keeping your money safe (fraud, scams, 2FA) Banking Without Getting Robbed (by fees) Available
4.1 Where did my money go? (tracking, painlessly) Budgeting That Doesn't Suck Available
4.2 The 50/30/20 starting point Budgeting That Doesn't Suck Available
4.3 Pay yourself first — the one habit that does the work Budgeting That Doesn't Suck Available
4.4 Automating your money so willpower isn't the plan Budgeting That Doesn't Suck Available
4.5 Sinking funds: saving for what you know is coming Budgeting That Doesn't Suck Available
4.6 The 24-hour rule and other anti-impulse tricks Budgeting That Doesn't Suck Available
4.7 Budgeting when your income is irregular Budgeting That Doesn't Suck Available
5.1 Why an emergency fund comes before almost everything Saving & Your Safety Net Available
5.2 Your first $1,000 (the starter fund) Saving & Your Safety Net Available
5.3 How big should my emergency fund be? Saving & Your Safety Net Available
5.4 Where to actually keep your savings Saving & Your Safety Net Available
5.5 Saving for goals: short, medium, long Saving & Your Safety Net Available
6.1 Interest, the simplest version: money that grows, or costs, over time Interest & Compounding — The Engine Available
6.2 Simple vs. compound interest — the difference that changes your life Interest & Compounding — The Engine Available
6.3 Compounding, seen: how a little becomes a lot Interest & Compounding — The Engine Available
6.4 The Rule of 72: how fast money doubles Interest & Compounding — The Engine Available
6.5 APR vs. APY — why the same "rate" isn't the same number Interest & Compounding — The Engine Available
6.6 Fixed vs. variable rates — what changes, and when it bites Interest & Compounding — The Engine Available
6.7 The two faces of compounding: friend when saving, enemy in debt Interest & Compounding — The Engine Available
7.1 What credit even is — and why it matters Credit, Decoded Available
7.2 How a credit card actually works (statement, balance, due date) Credit, Decoded Available
7.3 The grace period — how to borrow for free (if you do it right) Credit, Decoded Available
7.4 How card interest is calculated (APR → daily rate → average daily balance) Credit, Decoded Available
7.5 The minimum-payment trap — how it's calculated and why it keeps you paying Credit, Decoded Available
7.6 Fees, cash advances & penalty APR — the expensive fine print Credit, Decoded Available
7.7 Your credit score: what actually moves it Credit, Decoded Available
7.8 How to build credit from zero Credit, Decoded Available
7.9 Using a credit card without getting burned Credit, Decoded Available
7.10 Buy Now, Pay Later (Klarna, Afterpay) — how it really works Credit, Decoded Available
7.11 Checking your credit report (free) and fixing errors Credit, Decoded Available
8.1 The types of debt, and how each works (revolving vs. installment, secured vs. unsecured) Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.2 How a loan actually works: principal, interest, term Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.3 Amortization — why your early payments are almost all interest Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.4 Good debt, bad debt, and the line between Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.5 Why minimum payments cost so much (the 17-year problem) Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.6 Avalanche vs. snowball — two ways to pay it down Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.7 Why extra payments crush a loan — and where to aim them Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.8 Putting every debt in one place (your payoff picture) Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.9 Should I consolidate or refinance? Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.10 Payday loans & predatory debt — what to avoid and why Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.11 Dealing with debt in collections Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
8.12 Staying out of debt for good Getting Out of Debt (+ How Loans Work) Available
9.1 Federal vs. private — know what you have Student Loans (US) Available
9.2 How student loan interest works (and capitalization) Student Loans (US) Available
9.3 Repayment plans, explained (income-driven & standard) Student Loans (US) Available
9.4 Forgiveness programs (PSLF and friends) Student Loans (US) Available
9.5 Should you refinance your student loans? Student Loans (US) Available
10.1 Your benefits packet, decoded Free Money at Work (Benefits) Available
10.2 The 401(k) match — don't leave free money behind Free Money at Work (Benefits) Available
10.3 Roth vs. traditional, in plain English Free Money at Work (Benefits) Available
10.4 HSAs and FSAs — the accounts nobody explains Free Money at Work (Benefits) Available
10.5 Open enrollment without the panic Free Money at Work (Benefits) Available
11.1 Deductions vs. credits — and which beat which Taxes, A Bit Deeper Available
11.2 The standard deduction and when to itemize Taxes, A Bit Deeper Available
11.3 Side income & 1099s — what you owe Taxes, A Bit Deeper Available
11.4 Tax-advantaged accounts recap — how to legally pay less Taxes, A Bit Deeper Available
11.5 When to DIY vs. get a pro Taxes, A Bit Deeper Available
12.1 What insurance is really for Protecting Yourself (Insurance & Risk) Available
12.2 Health insurance basics (premium, deductible, out-of-pocket) Protecting Yourself (Insurance & Risk) Available
12.3 Renters & auto insurance — cheap protection you skip Protecting Yourself (Insurance & Risk) Available
12.4 Do I need life insurance yet? Protecting Yourself (Insurance & Risk) Available
12.5 Identity theft and your financial safety Protecting Yourself (Insurance & Risk) Available
13.1 Renting: leases, deposits, roommates Big Money Decisions Available
13.2 Buying a car without overpaying Big Money Decisions Available
13.3 Moving out / moving cities, money-wise Big Money Decisions Available
13.4 The home-buying conversation (someday, not scary) Big Money Decisions Available
13.5 Big purchases: how to decide Big Money Decisions Available
14.1 Why investing matters (compounding, now working for you) Growing Your Money Available
14.2 Risk, time, and why beginners overthink it Growing Your Money Available
14.3 Index funds: the boring answer that works Growing Your Money Available
14.4 Retirement accounts recap (401k, IRA, Roth) Growing Your Money Available
14.5 Your first investment, step by step Growing Your Money Available
14.6 Avoiding hype, scams, and "get rich quick" Growing Your Money Available