Money basics

Lessons

1. 1 US banking basics: checking, savings and FDIC insurance How checking and savings accounts work, what to look for in a bank, how FDIC insurance protects your money and how to avoid fees, in plain English. 3 min read Mark as done : US banking basics: checking, savings and FDIC insurance
2. 2 How to make a budget in the US (the 50/30/20 rule) A simple way to budget. Start from your take-home pay, see where it goes, split it into needs, wants and savings with the 50/30/20 rule, and automate it. 3 min read Mark as done : How to make a budget in the US (the 50/30/20 rule)
3. 3 Emergency fund: how much you need and where to keep it Why an emergency fund comes before almost everything else, how to work out yours, where to keep it and how to build it from nothing. 3 min read Mark as done : Emergency fund: how much you need and where to keep it
4. 4 Insurance basics in the US: what you need and what to skip Which insurance matters most in the US: protecting your income, health cover, life insurance, and the policies you can usually skip. 3 min read Mark as done : Insurance basics in the US: what you need and what to skip
5. 5 Inflation and interest rates in the US, explained What inflation is, why the Fed raises and cuts interest rates, and what both mean for your savings, debts and mortgage. With an interactive example. 2 min read Mark as done : Inflation and interest rates in the US, explained
6. 6 US credit scores: what affects yours and how to raise it What a FICO score is, the five things that make it up, what counts as a good score, how to check yours for free, and the fastest ways to improve it. 3 min read Mark as done : US credit scores: what affects yours and how to raise it
7. 7 How to spot and report money scams in the US The warning signs almost every scam shares, the most common scams in the US right now, how to protect your accounts, and where to report fraud. 4 min read Mark as done : How to spot and report money scams in the US
8. 8 Investing basics: how to start with index funds What investing is, how stocks, bonds and index funds work, which accounts to use first (401(k), IRA, brokerage) and how to start with a small amount. 3 min read Mark as done : Investing basics: how to start with index funds
9. 9 How much should I save for retirement? (401(k) guide) How much to save for retirement in the US, why starting early matters most, a simple 401(k) target, and how to make the most of your employer match. 3 min read Mark as done : How much should I save for retirement? (401(k) guide)