Financial Literacy and Budgeting

Overview

This two-week course provides a foundational understanding of personal finance, budgeting, and money management. Students will learn essential financial literacy concepts that help them make informed decisions about saving, spending, and investing. By the end of the course, participants will be able to create realistic budgets, manage debt, and plan for both short-term and long-term financial goals.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Financial Literacy and Budgeting course, students will be able to:

Understand the key concepts of personal finance and financial literacy.
Create and manage a personal budget that aligns with financial goals.
Differentiate between needs and wants to make smart spending decisions.
Learn strategies for managing debt and improving credit scores.
Explore saving and investing options for short- and long-term goals.
Understand the basics of financial planning for retirement.
Identify financial pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Gain confidence in making informed financial decisions.

This course offers practical knowledge and tools to support responsible financial habits and enhance everyday money management skills.

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Course Structure

Duration: 2 weeks
Study Time: 1-2 hours per day (equivalent to 14-28 hours total)

Course Modules

The course is structured into two weeks, with each day offering a carefully designed module that builds on the knowledge from the previous day, ensuring a steady and practical learning progression.

Week 1:

Introduction to financial literacy: Key terms and concepts.
Budgeting basics: How to create a budget that works.
Understanding income vs. expenses: Tracking spending habits.
Debt management: Credit cards, loans, and improving credit scores.

Week 2:

Saving strategies: Building an emergency fund and saving for future goals.
Introduction to investing: Understanding stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles.
Financial planning for retirement: Importance of early planning.
Final project: Develop a personal budget and financial plan based on individual goals.

Assessment

Daily quizzes to reinforce learning.
Final project: Create a comprehensive budget and financial plan for a specific scenario (50%).

Tools and Software

Budgeting tools (e.g., Mint, YNAB – You Need A Budget)
Online savings and investment calculators

Professional Certificate of Completion

Students who successfully complete all course requirements will receive a Professional Certificate of Completion issued by AIES, recognizing their achievement in this short-term learning course.

Start Your Financial Literacy Journey in Two Weeks

This two-week course, Financial Literacy and Budgeting, provides a practical introduction to managing personal finances, creating budgets, and making informed money decisions. Through real-world examples and hands-on activities, students will learn how to track expenses, plan savings, and avoid common financial pitfalls.

Ideal for anyone looking to improve their financial habits, this course builds foundational skills that support more confident money management in everyday life, academic settings, or team-based projects.