Online Class: Financial Literacy for Adults

Unlock financial autonomy as 'Financial Literacy for Adults' guides you through the intricacies of incomes, deductions, credit management, and investment strategies with engaging storytelling and clear insights. Step out of financial uncertainty and embrace a life enriched by informed financial decisions, thriving within a supportive and educational environment.

Self-Paced, Online Class
Mathews Memorial Library
 
  • 15
    Lessons
  • 22
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 3
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.3
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Have you ever found yourself navigating the murky waters of finances, feeling adrift as you attempt to make sense of income streams, bills, and those cryptic credit scores? You're not alone. Many adults find financial literacy complex and daunting, but imagine a life where you not only understand your finances, but master them, leading you toward stability and empowerment. Welcome aboard "Financial Literacy for Adults," a transformative journey meticulously crafted to elevate your financial wisdom and transform the way you perceive and manage money.

This is not just another online course; it's your gateway to financial freedom and confidence. Through immersive storytelling and engaging content, we break down every element of financial literacy into easily digestible insights, empowering you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your well-being. Picture yourself as an active participant in every financial conversation, equipped with clarity and assurance that your plan today will carry you through tomorrow.

Visualize life without financial stress—when every bill is a manageable chapter of your monthly story, and saving for retirement or an emergency is no longer a challenge but a well-rehearsed symphony. With each lesson, you'll uncover the secrets behind promoting financial independence and dispelling uncertainty. Engage with your financial ecosystem intelligently as you learn to harness the untapped potential of diverse income streams, control your expenses, and see tangible benefits unfold with each calculated step forward.

What's the heartbeat of our course? A journey that's curated for anyone aiming to step out of the shadows cast by financial turbulence and into the warm light of financial autonomy. Here, you will grasp the fundamental differences between gross and net income, finding clarity on those deductions like taxes and insurance that often feel like intricate puzzles. Gain command over the numbers that define your earnings, ultimately shifting the power back to your pocket.

Credit scores will no longer loom ominously. Instead, they will transform into advantageous tools once you comprehend their structure and influence. Throughout the course, practical wisdom guides you—anticipate not just surviving but thriving within the credit landscape. Witness your financial rapport with lenders evolve from tentative to trustworthy. Through adept debt management strategies, learn to use technology to ally with your financial priorities, ensuring a secure and prosperous future.

Investment strategies become thrilling adventures instead of treacherous terrains. Our course reveals the art and science of balancing risk with opportunity, providing you with the compass to navigate stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs with certainty. Uncover methods to build a retirement tapestry that is as rich and robust as your ambitions. This is more than just securing your wealth: it's about securing the legacy you'll leave behind.

Take command in preparation for life's uncertainties, with expertly designed methods to cultivate a financial buffer that stands resilient against the unexpected. This newfound insight extends from understanding taxes as the backbone of your financial worlds to grasping insurance policies that protect your significant investments—from your home to your health.

But, our commitment extends beyond just education—it's about transforming you into a financially astute consumer. Learn the mechanism behind consumer protection, and step boldly into the marketplace, assured that your financial rights are defended. Harness intelligent shopping strategies and the power of FinTech tools to command respect and transparency in every transaction.

In "Financial Literacy for Adults," you're not just another student. You're an empowered individual, sweeping away past financial ambiguities and stepping confidently into a brighter, financially literate future. This course is your sanctuary for wealth-building wisdom and transformational knowledge, meant for those who dare to seek a truly empowered life. Are you ready for a journey that could redefine your relationship with money, forever? Join us, and step boldly into the mastery of your financial destiny. Make the decision that everyone wishes they had made yesterday; seize this course, because your future deserves it.

 
 

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. Diverse Income, Controlled Expenses: Your Financial Playbook

Navigating financial planning involves setting clear goals and leveraging tools like budgeting apps for smart money management. Shifting from fast fashion to ethical consumer choices reflects a trend towards sustainable spending, while regular financial reviews ensure alignment with personal goals. 18 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-1-WorkSheet-14126.pdf
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Mastering Net Income Calculations for Financial Independence

Income stems from various sources, with employment wages being a primary one, necessitating differentiation between gross and net income for precise budgeting. Recognizing how deductions like taxes and insurance affect one's net income is crucial for informed financial decision-making. 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-2-HomeWork-14129.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. The Science of Credit: Navigating Your Financial Health

A credit score is a numerical representation of financial health, reflecting one's creditworthiness based on past interactions with debt and lenders assess this to gauge risk. Key elements affecting the score include payment history, credit utilization, and the length of credit history, encouraging strategic financial behavior. 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-3-WordSearch-14133.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Strategic Debt Management for a Prosperous Future

Debt consolidation and innovative resources, including budgeting apps and AI-driven financial advisors, redefine how debt is structured and managed. These tools simplify repayment and furnish bespoke advice, enabling borrowers to align debt plans with personal financial objectives and safeguard long-term well-being. 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-4-WordSearch-14136.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Review Exam

Lesson 5. Diversified Investment Strategies for Financial Success

Stocks offer ownership in companies with potential high returns and volatility, while bonds provide safer, fixed income streams, highlighting the importance of balancing risk with opportunity. Mutual funds and ETFs enable diversification with professional management, facilitating strategic investment without extensive market research. 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-5-Downloadable-14140.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 6. The Power of Interest Rates: Navigating Loans, Savings, and Investments for a Secure Future

Mastering conflict resolution and negotiation relies heavily on understanding emotions and harnessing emotional intelligence to foster constructive dialogue between opposing parties. Managing emotional triggers and practicing active listening can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and deeper connections. 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-6-Activity-14143.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. Optimizing Your Retirement: Navigating Financial Strategies

A 401(k) allows pre-tax contributions directly from your salary, reducing current taxable income and benefiting from employer matches to boost retirement savings significantly. IRAs provide individual retirement savings control with tax-deductible contributions in traditional accounts or tax-free growth and withdrawal benefits in Roth accounts. 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-7-WorkSheet-14147.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. Preparation for the Unexpected: Creating Your Financial Buffer

With interest rates on the rise, housing your emergency savings in a high-yield account can boost their growth while maintaining accessibility. This proactive financial strategy fosters budgeting discipline and safeguards against inflation's eroding effects on purchasing power. 18 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-8-WordSearch-14150.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 9. Taxes Matter: A Journey Through the Essentials of Financial Literacy

Taxes form the backbone of societal welfare, funding essential services and infrastructure that enhance community living standards. An understanding of taxes empowers individuals to manage personal finances effectively and advocate for equitable tax policies. 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-9-Downloadable-14154.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 10. Insurance 101: Understanding Premiums and Policies

Homeowners insurance safeguards the significant investment of homeownership by covering damages from fire, theft, and natural disasters, and includes liability protection. It allows families to recover from incidents like hurricanes without exhausting their savings, securing their most important asset. 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-10-HomeWork-14157.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. The Art of Smart Shopping Through Consumer Protection

Knowing your rights as a consumer, from safety to privacy, equips you to handle grievances and protect financial interests effectively. This education ensures robust participation in the marketplace, benefiting both individual financial health and broader economic fairness. 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-11-WorkSheet-15390.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. Homeownership and Financial Literacy: Building a Stable Future

Embarking on homeownership demands a comprehensive grasp of financial planning and the mortgage landscape. The lesson outlines the complexities involving financial commitments and choices among mortgage types, aiming to equip individuals with the foresight needed for successful homeownership and long-term financial health. 16 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-12-Activity-14160.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam

Lesson 13. Recognizing Common Financial Scams

Communication is the lifeline of successful leadership, integrating active listening and storytelling to build trust and transparency within diverse teams. Leaders' strategic use of narratives and technological tools heightens resilience and innovation, aligning organizational goals with seamless adaptation to change and complexity. 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-13-HomeWork-14163.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 13 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Review Exam

Lesson 14. Budget, Save, Invest: The Triad of Smart Financial Planning

With the U.S. savings rate hovering around 3-4% in 2023, structured saving plans are crucial to prevent financial instability. Budgeting forms the bedrock of financial planning by detailing income and expenses, helping avoid overspending, and facilitating savings for emergencies. 15 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-14-Activity-14166.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Review Exam

Lesson 15. FinTech Tools for Simplified Money Management

Security is paramount in financial management apps, which employ encryption and multifactor authentication to safeguard user data. Understanding privacy policies and maintaining vigilance against cyber threats are crucial as users navigate the digital finance landscape. 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-15-WordSearch-14170.pdf
  • Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Review Exam
293
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Define and categorize fixed and variable expenses, providing examples of each, to assess their impact on personal financial planning.
  • Demonstrate effective budgeting strategies, including the 50/30/20 rule, to prioritize needs, wants, and savings, enhancing financial decision-making skills.
  • Calculate net income by accurately deducting taxes, deductions, and expenses from gross income to create a realistic budget aligned with financial goals.
  • Define and differentiate between various income sources, including wages, freelance earnings, and investment income, to understand their impact on net income calculations.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret a personal credit report by identifying key components such as payment history, credit utilization, and account longevity, and explaining their influence on credit decision-making.
  • Define the role of a credit report in determining an individual's credit score by analyzing the impact of various credit factors on personal financial health.
  • Analyze the differences between secured and unsecured debt and evaluate their trade-offs, including borrowing costs and potential risks.
  • Demonstrate the ability to categorize different types of debt and identify their specific impacts on personal financial stability and goals.
  • Define and differentiate between various investment vehicles, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, REITs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, explaining their unique attributes, risks, benefits, and potential returns.
  • Demonstrate the ability to construct a diversified investment portfolio by assessing risk tolerance, aligning investment choices with financial goals, and applying diversification strategies across different asset classes, sectors, and geographies.
  • Analyze the impact of fixed and variable interest rates on loan payments and personal financial decisions.
  • Define the differences between simple and compound interest and calculate interest for a given principal amount.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the tax implications for contributions and withdrawals for 401(k), traditional IRA, and Roth IRA accounts.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Financial Literacy for Adults
Course Number: 57701011
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: With online access available nationwide, this course reaches all U.S. states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. Additionally, it’s open to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Last Updated: January 2025
CEU Value: 0.3 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher for successful completion.
Course Type: Curriculum-Based, Online Class
Instructional Method: Self-Paced, Asynchronous
Assessment Method: End of lesson review exams and course final exam

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