Money Basics
The vocabulary and simple arithmetic behind everyday money: what comes in, what goes out and how interest works in both directions.
5 lessons · Estimated time: about 2 hours
Overview
Money conversations are full of words that are rarely explained: gross pay, net pay, fixed costs, cash flow, APR. This course defines them one at a time, with small worked examples using sample numbers.
It is a starting point for the other courses. Nothing here assumes any background, and nothing here tells anyone what to do with their own money.
What you'll learn
- The difference between gross income and take-home pay
- How fixed, variable and occasional expenses differ
- What cash flow means and how a monthly picture is put together
- How checking and savings accounts generally work
- How interest is earned on savings and charged on borrowing
Lesson outline
- 1. Income, expenses and cash flow Free sample
- 2. How bank accounts work Members
- 3. Interest: earning it and paying it Members
- 4. Reading a pay stub Members
- 5. Money words you'll hear everywhere Members
Estimated time: about 2 hours, in lessons of 20 to 30 minutes.
Take the whole course.
Lesson 1 of every course is a free sample. Lessons marked Members are part of the $12/month membership in this sample program.
Demonstration site: enrolling sends nothing and creates no enrollment. Courses are general education, not financial, legal or credit advice; they explain how things work and don't review anyone's situation.