Taxes

Taxes: Understanding Your Responsibility

Filing taxes can seem overwhelming, but understanding the basics is an essential part of becoming financially independent. This course introduces young adults to the purpose of taxes, how they are calculated, and what steps are required to file correctly. Participants will gain confidence in handling tax forms, knowing their responsibilities, and avoiding common mistakes.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand why taxes exist – How tax dollars support schools, roads, healthcare, and community services.

• Recognize common types of taxes – Income tax, sales tax, property tax, and payroll deductions like Social Security and Medicare.

• Read a paycheck – Breaking down withholdings, deductions, and net pay.

• Identify required documents – W-2s, 1099s, and other forms needed to file taxes.

• Complete a basic tax return – Understanding standard deductions, credits, and how to file either electronically or by mail.

• Know when and how to file – Important deadlines, free filing resources, and when professional help may be needed.

• Avoid common pitfalls – Missing deadlines, ignoring IRS notices, or underreporting income.

• Plan ahead – Learning how taxes affect paychecks, refunds, and future financial planning.

By the end of this course, participants will see that taxes don’t have to be intimidating. They will leave with the knowledge and confidence to manage their own tax responsibilities, read pay stubs with clarity, and take proactive steps to stay compliant year after year.

Savings & Investment

Saving & Investing: Building a Strong Financial Future

Learning to save and invest early sets the foundation for lifelong financial security. This course introduces young adults to the importance of saving money, the basics of investing, and how to choose options that fit their goals. Participants will learn not only how to begin but also why starting early makes such a big difference.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand why saving matters – Building emergency funds, preparing for big purchases, and creating financial stability.

• Explore types of savings accounts – Regular savings accounts, high-yield savings, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market accounts.

• Learn the basics of investing – Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and index funds.

• Compare risk vs. reward – Understanding which options are safer, which have higher growth potential, and how to balance both.

• Start small – How even small, consistent deposits grow over time through compound interest.

• Set short- and long-term goals – Saving for emergencies, education, travel, or home ownership.

• Avoid common pitfalls – Waiting too long to start, pulling money out too soon, or investing without research.

• Use tools and resources – Budgeting apps, online calculators, and beginner-friendly investment platforms.

Why Start Now?

One of the most powerful lessons in money management is that time is your greatest asset. Starting to save and invest as a young adult means even small contributions can grow into significant wealth over time thanks to compound interest. For example, putting away $25 a month in your 20s can grow into thousands of dollars over decades. Waiting even 10 years to start could mean missing out on a large portion of that growth.

By the end of this course, participants will understand that saving and investing are not just for wealthy people—they are accessible, practical tools anyone can start using today. They will leave with clear steps to begin building financial security and creating long-term wealth for their future.

Retirement

Retirement Planning: Securing Your Future

For most young adults, retirement feels so far away that it rarely crosses their minds. After all, in the early years of working, the focus is often on paying bills, saving for short-term goals, or just enjoying newfound independence. But the truth is, the earlier you begin preparing for retirement, the easier and more rewarding it will be. Even small contributions made in your 20s can grow into a strong financial foundation for your future.

This course introduces participants to the basics of retirement planning, showing them why it’s important to start early, how different retirement accounts work, and how small, steady contributions can grow into long-term financial stability.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand the purpose of retirement planning – Why preparing now leads to greater independence and freedom later.

• Explore retirement savings options – Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, Roth IRAs, and traditional IRAs.

• Learn about employer matching – Understanding the benefits of contributing enough to take full advantage of an employer match.

• See the power of compound growth – How small, consistent deposits grow significantly over decades.

• Plan contributions responsibly – Balancing saving for retirement with other financial priorities like bills, emergencies, and short-term goals.

• Avoid common mistakes – Withdrawing early, ignoring contributions, or underestimating retirement needs.

• Use tools and resources – Online calculators, financial advisors, and budgeting strategies to project future retirement income.

By the end of the course, participants will recognize that retirement planning isn’t just for later in life—it’s for now. With clear strategies and practical steps, they’ll leave knowing how to begin preparing for the future while still managing their present needs.

Inflation

Inflation: Understanding Rising Costs

Prices for groceries, gas, and housing don’t stay the same forever—they go up over time. This is called inflation, and it affects how far your money goes. For young adults, understanding inflation is key to managing budgets, saving wisely, and preparing for future expenses. This course explains what inflation is, why it happens, and how to adapt when the cost of living changes.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand what inflation is – How prices rise over time and how that impacts purchasing power.

• Recognize causes of inflation – Supply and demand shifts, production costs, and economic changes.

• See the effects on everyday life – Rising prices on groceries, rent, gas, and services.

• Understand long-term impact – How inflation affects savings, investments, and the overall economy.

• Develop strategies to cope – Budget adjustments, shopping smarter, and prioritizing needs vs. wants.

• See the connection to wages and interest rates – Why paychecks, borrowing, and saving don’t always keep up with inflation.

• Plan ahead – Using savings, investments, and smart financial habits to stay resilient when prices rise.

By the end of this course, participants will understand that inflation isn’t just an economic term—it’s something that directly affects their wallets every day. They’ll leave with strategies to make their money stretch further and protect themselves financially even when costs rise.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance: Protecting Your Health and Your Wallet

Good health is priceless—but medical care can be costly. A single doctor’s visit, prescription, or emergency room trip can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. That’s why health insurance is so important: it helps cover medical expenses, protects against overwhelming bills, and ensures access to the care you need.

Many young adults think, “I’m healthy, I don’t need insurance.” But accidents and illnesses can happen unexpectedly, and without insurance, the financial burden can be devastating. Having coverage provides peace of mind and ensures that you can get care when you need it most.

This course breaks down the essentials of health insurance and teaches participants how to choose and use a plan with confidence.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand what health insurance is – How it works to share costs between you and the insurance provider.

• Learn key terms – Premiums, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, networks, and out-of-pocket maximums.

• Explore different types of plans – HMO, PPO, EPO, and high-deductible health plans, and what makes them different.

• Know where coverage comes from – Employer-sponsored plans, government programs, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

• Use health insurance effectively – Choosing in-network doctors, scheduling preventive care, and understanding referrals.

• Plan for emergencies vs. routine care – How insurance helps cover both expected and unexpected medical needs.

• Avoid common mistakes – Ignoring plan details, missing enrollment deadlines, or skipping insurance altogether.

By the end of the course, participants will understand that health insurance isn’t just another bill—it’s a financial safety net and a safeguard for their future health. They’ll leave with the knowledge to compare plans, ask the right questions, and confidently select coverage that fits their lifestyle and budget.

Goal Setting

Financial Goal Setting: Turning Plans Into Progress

Money without a plan tends to disappear quickly. That’s why setting financial goals is so important—it gives direction, purpose, and motivation for how you spend and save. This course helps young adults understand the value of goal setting and teaches them how to create clear, realistic steps to achieve both short-term and long-term financial success.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand the importance of goal setting – How clear goals provide focus, reduce financial stress, and encourage better money habits.

• Set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals that are practical and motivating.

• Differentiate short- and long-term goals – Examples include saving for a concert, building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or buying a car.

• Break big goals into smaller steps – Using monthly or weekly milestones to stay on track.

• Align goals with values and priorities – Learning how to budget in a way that supports what matters most to them.

• Track progress and adjust as needed – Understanding that goals may shift over time and learning how to adapt.

• Celebrate achievements – Recognizing progress to stay motivated and build confidence.

By the end of this course, participants will understand that financial success isn’t about luck—it’s about planning. They will leave with practical tools to set meaningful goals, stay disciplined, and achieve the milestones that build financial security and independence

Employment Income

Employment Income: Understanding and Managing Your Earnings

Getting a paycheck is one of the biggest milestones of entering the workforce—but knowing how to understand, manage, and make the most of your income is what leads to long-term financial stability. This course introduces young adults to the basics of employment income, from reading a paycheck to building healthy money habits that maximize their earnings.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand employment income – Gross pay vs. net pay, and how taxes, insurance, and other deductions affect take-home pay.

• Read and interpret pay stubs – Identifying hours worked, overtime, benefits, and mandatory withholdings like Social Security and Medicare.

• Budget with income in mind – Learning how to create a spending plan that balances needs, wants, savings, and debt repayment.

• Use income wisely – Prioritizing bills, saving consistently, and avoiding the trap of spending everything earned.

• Plan for irregular income – Understanding how to manage part-time jobs, hourly wages, or seasonal work with varying pay.

• Build toward financial goals – Connecting income with saving, investing, and preparing for future milestones.

• Recognize the value of benefits – Seeing income beyond just wages, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

By the end of this course, participants will not only know how to read and understand their paycheck but also how to use their income strategically—ensuring that their hard-earned money supports both their immediate needs and their long-term financial future.

Employment Tax Status

Employment Income: Understanding and Managing Your Earnings

Getting a paycheck is one of the biggest milestones of entering the workforce—but knowing how to understand, manage, and make the most of your income is what leads to long-term financial stability. This course introduces young adults to the basics of employment income, from reading a paycheck to building healthy money habits that maximize their earnings.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand employment income – Gross pay vs. net pay, and how taxes, insurance, and other deductions affect take-home pay.

• Read and interpret pay stubs – Identifying hours worked, overtime, benefits, and mandatory withholdings like Social Security and Medicare.

• Differentiate between salaried and hourly pay – Understanding how salaried positions provide consistent pay regardless of hours worked, while hourly jobs pay based on time worked, often including overtime pay for hours beyond the standard workweek.

• Budget with income in mind – Learning how to create a spending plan that balances needs, wants, savings, and debt repayment.

• Use income wisely – Prioritizing bills, saving consistently, and avoiding the trap of spending everything earned.

• Plan for irregular income – Understanding how to manage part-time jobs, hourly wages, or seasonal work with varying pay.

• Build toward financial goals – Connecting income with saving, investing, and preparing for future milestones.

• Recognize the value of benefits – Seeing income beyond just wages, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

By the end of this course, participants will not only know how to read and understand their paycheck but also how to use their income strategically—ensuring that their hard-earned money supports both their immediate needs and their long-term financial future.

Banking Basics

Banking Basics: Managing Your Money with Confidence

A bank account is often the first big step toward financial independence. This course introduces young adults to the fundamentals of banking, helping them understand how to safely store money, use accounts, and take advantage of financial services that support everyday life.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand different types of accounts – Checking, savings, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market accounts.

• Open and manage an account – What’s required to get started, how to deposit money, and how to keep accounts secure.

• Use debit cards and checks – How transactions work, balancing a checkbook, and tracking spending.

• Understand fees and charges – Common banking fees like overdrafts, ATM charges, and how to avoid them.

• Use online and mobile banking – Safely managing money through apps, transfers, bill pay, and alerts.

• Balance an account – Reconciling statements, tracking deposits and withdrawals, and ensuring accuracy.

• Recognize FDIC insurance – Understanding how banks protect deposits up to certain limits.

• Build banking habits for the future – Using accounts to save, manage cash flow, and establish financial stability.

By the end of this course, participants will see that banks are more than just places to store money—they are tools for building security, managing daily finances, and preparing for long-term financial goals. Students will leave with the confidence to open, use, and manage bank accounts effectively.

Budgeting

Budgeting: Taking Control of Your Money

A budget is more than numbers on a page—it’s a plan for how you want to live, spend, and save. This course teaches young adults the importance of budgeting and provides practical tools to help them create, manage, and stick to a plan that supports both their short-term needs and long-term goals.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand the purpose of a budget – How budgeting provides control, reduces financial stress, and helps achieve goals.

• Track income and expenses – Recording where money comes from and where it goes to identify patterns.

• Categorize spending – Dividing expenses into needs, wants, savings, and debt repayment.

• Use common budgeting methods – 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, and envelope or app-based systems.

• Prioritize expenses – Ensuring essentials like rent, food, and transportation are covered before discretionary spending.

• Plan for unexpected costs – Setting aside money for emergencies or unplanned expenses.

• Adjust budgets over time – Reviewing and updating as income, goals, or life circumstances change.

• Use tools and resources – Apps, spreadsheets, and other systems to make budgeting easier and more effective.

By the end of this course, participants will understand that a budget is not a restriction—it’s a roadmap for freedom and choice. They’ll leave with the confidence and skills to build a realistic budget that reflects their values, supports their goals, and keeps their finances on track.

Car Insurance

Car Insurance: Protecting Yourself on the Road

Driving offers independence, but it also comes with responsibility. Car insurance is not just a legal requirement—it’s a safeguard that protects drivers, passengers, and finances in case of an accident. This course introduces young adults to the basics of car insurance, explaining coverage types, costs, and how to choose the right policy.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand what car insurance is – How it works to share risk and cover costs from accidents, theft, or damage.

• Learn the types of coverage – Liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection.

• Recognize legal requirements – Minimum insurance laws and what drivers must have to stay compliant.

• Understand factors that affect cost – Age, driving record, vehicle type, coverage level, and deductibles.

• Compare policies – How to shop around, read terms, and choose coverage that fits needs and budget.

• Know what to do after an accident – Steps for filing a claim and understanding how insurance pays out.

• Avoid common mistakes – Driving uninsured, choosing the cheapest policy without enough coverage, or not updating insurance after changes (new car, address, or drivers).

• Explore discounts and savings – Good student discounts, safe driving rewards, bundling with renters/home insurance, and more.

By the end of this course, participants will see car insurance not as just another expense but as an essential layer of protection that keeps them financially secure on the road. They’ll leave with the knowledge to compare plans, ask smart questions, and select the right coverage with confidence.

Economy 101

Economy 101: How the Economy Affects Everyday Life

The economy might sound like something only experts talk about, but it shapes almost every aspect of daily living—from the price of groceries to the availability of jobs. This course introduces young adults to the basics of how the economy works and helps them see the connection between big-picture trends and their personal financial choices.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand what the economy is – The flow of money, goods, and services between businesses, governments, and individuals.

• Explore supply and demand – How availability of products and consumer demand affect prices.

• Learn about inflation and recession – What they mean, why they happen, and how they affect families and businesses.

• See how government plays a role – Taxes, spending, and policies that impact jobs, wages, and prices.

• Understand unemployment and job markets – Why job availability rises and falls and how it connects to economic health.

• Recognize global connections – How international trade, imports, and exports influence local economies.

• Connect personal finance to the economy – Why interest rates, wages, and the cost of living shift based on larger economic trends.

• Develop awareness as a consumer and worker – Understanding how individual choices also play a role in shaping economic activity.

By the end of this course, participants will see that the economy isn’t just something on the news—it’s a living system that affects their money, opportunities, and future. They’ll leave with the confidence to follow economic trends and make smarter decisions in their personal and professional lives.