COURSE CONTENTS

Explore the eight chapters designed to help you build a stronger financial future.

Course Contents

Explore the eight chapters designed to help you build a stronger financial future.

Chapter 1

You Can Move from Financial Struggles to Stability

Identify What You Value So You Can Set Financial Goals
Spend Your Money on What You Value
Write Down Your Goals
The Power of Goal-Setting
Chapter 2

Develop a Spending Plan that Fits Your Needs and Goals

  • Distinguishing Between Wants and Needs
  • Your Spending Plan: Where Do You Begin?
  • Careful Shopping Helps Your Spending Plan
  • Track Your Spending
    • Chapter 3

    Financial Tools Can Help You Manage Your Money

  • Safeguard Your Financial Information
  • Checks and Money Orders
  • Working With Banks and Credit Unions
  • Overdraft Protection is a Safety Net
  • Keeping Accurate Records
  • Protecting Your Personal Identity
    • Chapter 4

    Using Credit Wisely Can Help You Accomplish Your Goals

  • Types of Credit
  • Loans: What Lenders Want to Know About You
  • Credit Card Interest Can Be Costly
  • Read Your Credit Card Statement Carefully
  • How the CARD Act Protects You
  • Protections for Gift Cards and Stored-Value Cards
  • How Many Credit Cards Do You Really Need?
    • Chapter 5

    What You Need to Know About Your Credit Score

  • What's In Your Credit Report?
  • Your Credit Score – What Is It?
  • Your Credit Score – Why Does It Matter?
    • Chapter 6

    What You Need to Know About Contracts

  • Leases
  • Contracts for Utilities
  • Contracts and Online Services
  • Furniture Contracts and Extended Warranties
  • Insurance Contracts
    • Chapter 7

    Protect Yourself from Scams and Know Your Legal Rights

  • Disputing Problems with Goods and Services
  • Learn More About Charities Before You Give
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • Laws That Protect Consumers
  • Dealing With Debt Collectors
    • Chapter 8

    What Can You Do When Things Go Wrong?

  • Advice: Think Carefully Before You Follow It
  • Credit Counseling and Debt Management Programs
  • Debt Settlement Companies and Programs
  • Bankruptcy
  • Rebuilding Your Credit